Heart of Darkness and Paradoxes of Imperialism - Essay Example

The Company in the book considers Kurtz to be unstable and bordering on mental illness, however there are conflicting messages in this novel associated with Kurtz in relation to imperialism. There seems to have been a social shift occurring during this time period where even whites were emerging from long-standing beliefs about the value and integrity of the African people. This is apparent in how the Company and management continue to change Kurtz’s rather cruel and exploitive ways in relation to his treatment and attitude of the African native people.

Even though there is some success in these efforts through management and Marlow, Kurtz still holds onto the notion that European values are superior. The paradox, in this case, is Kurtz’ supposed relationship with a woman of color that seems to defy his publicized worldview that European imperialism is superior in virtually every way. Much of the paradoxes that exist in Heart of Darkness are found in the relationship between Kurtz and Marlow. Kurtz continuously reinforces that his view of native Africans is that of extermination and even through suppression.

Marlow, however, does not share these beliefs and eventually builds a relationship with Kurtz despite his rather cruel methods associated with his treatment of natives. The paradox is actually within this relationship that shows that Marlow, despite his English background, is capable of gaining respect from those in Africa even though Kurtz continuously reinforces that such diplomacy and compassion is a virtual waste of time. The novel definitely shows the ability of men, even with a European background that was highly prejudiced against African people at the time, to change their beliefs and abandon some of the principles of imperialistic lifestyle.

Even though Kurtz as the main character continues to support cruelty and exploitation against Africans, the paradox resides in both the ability of Kurtz to be altered behaviorally and for Marlow to develop his own sense of morality as it pertains to African natives. This was apparent at the time of Kurtz’s death where he seems to have a moment of clarity and understanding about the horrors of prejudice and his imperialistic ways. Even though Marlow seems to still value the primary attributes of British imperialism, he is still confounded by the problems that British tyranny brings to native Africans at the time.

This is yet another paradox in the story. It illustrates that there is a duplicity of character with many imperialists that seem to both forgive imperialism values, but also cling to them to satisfy the social order imposed by British or Russian citizens.