Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has recurring themes of light versus dark, civilized verses savagery. So far the story of Heart of Darkness seems to expand of the topic of overpowering and overtaking; corruption at the core of power seems to surface on the several few pages of Heart of Darkness. Charlie Marlow, a character in Heart of Darkness, states "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much." Throughout history this concept and the concept of overtaking in order to obtain selfish gain has been self-evident not only in territory but resources as well. Native Americans and their land. Chinese laborers and railroads. Africans as field laborers. Spanish enslaving Filipinos and Mexicans. North Korea verses South Korea. Pakistan verses India. Mongolia versus China. Nazi Germans against the European Jewish Community. Some overtaking even occurs withing aspects of religion or social status/classes. The list of victims and underminers and overtakers goes on. The concept of in order to become great and build ourselves up, we have to knock down and undermine. This concept is cowardly but for some terrifying reason this has reoccurred throughout history. This has always been the way things have been done. But there is always a chance to improve and change the future after all things do always get worse before they get better, all it takes is dedication for the determination of change.