In Joseph Conrad's novella "Heart of Darkness," the author provides a scathing critique of European colonialism and the brutal methods used by colonial administrators to exploit and control the indigenous populations of Africa. Through the character of Kurtz and his descent into madness, Conrad exposes the corrupt and oppressive nature of colonial rule, highlighting the destructive impact it has on both the colonizers and the colonized.
One of the key ways in which Conrad sketches the colonial administration in "Heart of Darkness" is through the character of the Company, the European trading company that controls the colonial outpost where the story is set. The Company is depicted as a ruthless and exploitative organization that is solely focused on extracting as much wealth as possible from the African continent, regardless of the human cost. The Company's agents, such as the manager and the accountant, are portrayed as callous and indifferent to the suffering of the native population, viewing them as nothing more than a means to an end.
The manager, in particular, is shown to be a cruel and tyrannical figure who rules over the African workers with an iron fist. He is described as a "pale, fat man" who exerts his authority through fear and intimidation, using violence and coercion to maintain control. The manager's treatment of the native workers is dehumanizing and degrading, reflecting the dehumanizing effects of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized.
Conrad also sketches the colonial administration through the character of Kurtz, a European ivory trader who has gone native and become a god-like figure to the indigenous population. Kurtz is portrayed as a complex and enigmatic figure who embodies the contradictions and hypocrisies of colonial rule. On the one hand, Kurtz is celebrated by the Company for his ability to extract vast amounts of ivory from the African interior, making him a symbol of European success and dominance. However, as Marlow discovers, Kurtz's methods are brutal and inhumane, involving the exploitation and enslavement of the native population.
Kurtz's descent into madness is a powerful metaphor for the moral corruption and spiritual decay that accompanies colonialism. As he becomes more deeply enmeshed in the brutal realities of colonial rule, Kurtz loses touch with his own humanity and becomes consumed by greed and power. His famous cry of "The horror! The horror!" is a chilling indictment of the atrocities committed in the name of empire, revealing the dark heart of colonialism and the destructive impact it has on both the colonizers and the colonized.
Through Kurtz, Conrad also explores the psychological effects of colonialism on the individual. Kurtz's transformation from a promising young idealist into a ruthless and amoral tyrant is a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Kurtz's downfall serves as a warning to the other characters in the novella, including Marlow, who is forced to confront the moral compromises he has made in the pursuit of wealth and success.
Overall, Conrad's portrayal of the colonial administration in "Heart of Darkness" is a damning indictment of the inhumanity and brutality of European colonialism. Through the characters of the Company and Kurtz, Conrad exposes the exploitative and oppressive nature of colonial rule, highlighting the destructive impact it has on both the colonizers and the colonized. By shining a light on the dark heart of empire, Conrad challenges his readers to confront the legacy of colonialism and to reckon with the moral and ethical implications of their own actions.