Episode 177: Heart of Darkness Part I - The Paradox of History

Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness (1899) is both a scathing critique of European imperialism and a reminder that all humans have the capacity to succumb to the heart of darkness. It also is not without controversy, as people have been debating it's meaning and essence for over a century now. What exactly is the heart of darkness? Was the Belgian Congo a unique circumstance of imperialism or just another example of human nature at work? Is the text of Heart of Darkness a legitimate critique of the imperial mindset, or is it actually just upholding the very norms and imperialistic conventions it is ostensibly dismantling?

This is the first episode in a series covering the book. It provides an overview of the historical context of European imperialism in Africa, including the ivory and rubber boom in the Congo. We also set the ideological stage for the narrative of the book. The civilizing mission is discussed and we wonder if we are all just prisoners of our own historical moment? Was european imperialism just another cycle of histories that have already happened long ago? We also dive into Marlow's origins, back story, and recruitment with "The Company."

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