Heart of Darkness is one of the most scathing critiques of imperialism in English literature. But, though Conrad seems to have despised Belgian imperialism for “going too far,” he admired the British Empire greatly. Some critics have argued that
Heart of Darkness is a racist book, portraying Africans as grunting, monolithic “brutes.” While there may be some truth in these criticisms, Conrad is insightful about the contradictions and ironies of imperialism. He notes that Kurtz was a murderous colonialist, but also an accomplished writer, who submitted a long treatise on “the suppression of savage customs.” Like Kurtz,
Henry Morton Stanley was extravagantly praised for his books on Africa. Similarly,
Captain Léon Rom published a book on Africans in the Congo, in which he spoke condescendingly of Africans, criticizing them for their laziness and stupidity. In all, it’s important to remember that, in spite of the fact that
Heart of Darkness is a work of fiction, it was inspired by horrific, real-life events in the Congo.