The Self-Destructive Nature of Empire: The Boomerang Impact of Imperialism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness”

Abstract

Imperialism has deep roots in the history of mankind. As a malady, it has afflicted many developing countries. Definitely, it has resulted in various severe side effects not just on the colonised people but on the colonizers as well. Thus, foregrounding the pain of the colonised people and its impact on the colonizers is considered the most important issue. This work attempts to highlight the causes that give rise to such problems. Under the title “The Self-Destructive Nature of Empire: The Boomerang Impact of Imperialism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness” the work examines the reasons behind the reversal of the colonized peoples’ afflictions onto the colonizers. The main cause of the exploitation and enrichment of empowered countries is the suppression of weaker countries, and this weakness is largely due to a lack of science and knowledge. Life is a competition; thus, countries compete against each other. Whoever reaches the facilities of life sooner can overthrow its rivals. This assertion can be confirmed by various historical incidents. The colonialism and imperialism of the British in the last century is an example of how this came to be. Therefore, imperialism is regarded as one of the consequences of competition among countries, a fact that has brought about misery, massacred world wars, and the erasure of nationalism. There is no doubt that imperialism has many negative impacts on the colonized country and its people. This fact is certain; however, imperialism also affects the colonizers themselves. Therefore, what concerns is foregrounding the boomerang impact of colonization. This idea is clearly observed in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Hence, to establish this fact, it is necessary to examine the condition of the agents of imperialism in the colonized country as depicted in the novella. Modern writers convey such a fact to their readers through their fictitious writings. In Heart of Darkness, Conrad elucidates the calamity of imperialism, the causes behind it and its impact upon the colonizers.