Essay on Hearts of Darkness Post Colonialism - 850 Words

Write a critique of Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness, based on your reading about post-colonialism and discussing Conrads view of African culture as other. What would someone from Africa think about this work? Heart of Darkness starts out in London and also ends there as well. Most of the story takes place in the Congo which is now known as the Republic of the Congo. Heart of Darkness was essentially a transitional novel between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. During the nineteenth century certain concepts in the story were considered unthinkable such as cannibalism. The cultural relativism (which basically says that right and wrong are culture-specific) was a strong sensibility during the nineteenth century which is†¦show more content†¦However, he still managed to reap more reward, in the shape of ivory. Marlows opinion of Imperialism is altered several times based on his experiences with witnessing the lengths the Imperialists would go for profit. When Marlo w meets Kurtz he realizes that Kurtz himself has been conquered by the darkness and this changes his opinion regarding Imperialism. The roles of Kurtzs fiance and his African mistress are significant characters in the story. The Europeans dont realize that Kurtz lives a life of sin and consider him to be pure which contrasts with Marlows knowledge of his corruption. Conrad builds Kurtzs fiance up to symbolize the lack of presence of the British from the events in Africa. She is distraught about Kurtzs death and ponders what might have been, had Kurtz not died. Kurtzs mistress does not appear to be grief-stricken, but is not happy as she is the only native still standing after Marlow sounded the steamers whistle. Kurtzs fiances claimed she knew him best, but this was just an illusion as she was not aware of the sinful life he lived. The memory she has of Kurtz is a lie; since Marlow did not tell her the truth. The women in Hearts of Darkness have two sets of characteristics. F irst, they have the accepted Victorian values and then they have the post-colonial values. The Victorian reading would portray Kurtzs fiance as feminine, beautiful, saintly and mourns Kurtz for a longShow MoreRelated Colonialism and Imperialism - A Post-colonial Study of Heart of Darkness3270 Words   |  14 PagesA Post-colonial Study of Heart of Darkness         Ã‚  In this paper, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness will be examined by using a recent movement, Post-colonial Study that mainly focuses on the relationship between the Self and the Other, always intertwined together in considering one’ identity.  Ã‚   The Other is commonly identified with the margin, which has been oppressed or ignored by Eurocentric, male-dominated history.  Ã‚   Conrad is also conscious of the Others interrelated status with the SelfRead MorePost Colonialism Is Not A Reference Of Time Essay1237 Words   |  5 PagesPost colonialism is not a reference of time; rather it is the literary theory that encompasses the global interactions of humans after colonization and imperialist rule dominated the world. The ultimate definition is still in the wakes of developing, so there is no box this particular word can smoothly fit into. This is a literary theory; it is a lens to take in order to understand the truthfulness of all perspectives in a s tory. A baseline of post colonialism lies in the definition of both termsRead More Colonialism and the Heart of Darkness Essay680 Words   |  3 PagesColonialism and the Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, is a work that strongly attacks colonialism and its affects not only upon the native population but also upon the colonizers invading the land. Conrad experienced being colonized as a young boy in a Poland under Russian occupation. He also witnessed the affects of colonialism upon a colonizer while he commanded a river steamer in the Dutch Congo. He relays these experiences through the eyes of his character MarlowRead MoreHeart of Darkness; Values of Colonisers988 Words   |  4 Pagesdoes Conrad challenge or endorse the values of the colonisers in Heart of Darkness? Conrad, in Heart of Darkness, challenges the values of colonialism, but at the same time he conforms to the constraints of popular culture of the time in which he wrote. In this way, the extent to which he challenges mainstream ideas is limited in regards to the angles of his criticism. Conrad’s detailed descriptions of the Europeans in Heart of Darkness implicate his discontent towards colonial practices whilst certainRead More The Darkness of Colonialism and Imperialism in Heart of Darkness1235 Words   |  5 PagesThe Light and Dark of Colonialism in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   In the opening of his novel, Heart of Darkness, Conrad, through Marlow, establishes his thoughts on colonialism. He says that conquerors only use brute force, nothing to boast of because it arises, by accident, from anothers weakness. Marlow compares his subsequent tale of colonialism with that of the Roman colonization of Northern Europe and the fascination associated with such an endeavor. However, Marlow challenges this viewpointRead MoreHeart of Darkness- Joseph Conrad, Essay1014 Words   |  5 PagesJoseph Conrad’s progressive ideas about colonialism are instilled into his novella, Heart of Darkness, (1902) through which the philanthropic pretence of the European Colonisers towards African natives is unveiled. Whilst Conrad’s post colonial writings were ahead of his own time and context, they are accompanied and contrasted with views founded through a colonial mindset, where colonisation is seen to perhaps bear a burden upon the Europeans rather than the natives. As a result of this, ConradRead More Prejudice and Racism in The Jewel in the Crown and Heart of Darkness1361 Words   |  6 PagesRacism in The Jewel in the Crown and Heart of Darkness      Ã‚   The effects of British colonialism are reflected in literature from both early modernism and post colonialism. Racial discrimination tainted both eras portrayed in the British morale of white supremacy over non-European counties unfolded. Heart of Darkness exemplifies early modernism in the British explorers viewed African natives of the Congo as incapable of human equality due to perceived uncivilized savagery. Personal interactionRead MoreLight and Dark in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay1735 Words   |  7 PagesLight and Dark in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Joseph Conrads novel, Heart of Darkness, was written to explore the soul of man. If the book is viewed only superficially, a tragic story of the African jungle is seen, but when examined closely, a deeper meaning arises. Through his narrator Marlow, Conrad uses the theme of light and dark to contrast the civilized with the savage.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through the individual characters, Conrad creates the division between dark and light and blackRead MoreEssay about Heart of Darkness1745 Words   |  7 PagesPost-colonial studies have often created this myth about the European intent for Africa, a tale that has led many westerners to believe in the noble role of European policy of civilizing Africa. However, literal materials have said little about the evils that surrounded the well sometimes ill-disguised motives of explorers, colonial administrators and their adventures. This essay provides an in depth review of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, a classical novella that illustrates without bias theRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1250 Words   |  5 Pages Written in 1902, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness follows the character Marlow in his journey up the Congo River to find the mysterious Kurtz, an ivory trader. In the story, Conrad explores the issues of colonialism and imperialism. The Company has enslaved native Congolese to help them mine for ivory and rubber in the area. The Congolese experience brutal working conditions as the company profits off their free labor. Racism is evident throughout the story with Marlow calling the blacks â€Å"savages†

The American Civil War Ulysses S. Grant - 3206 Words

Ulysses S. Grant was a quiet and reserved man however he was able to inspire a sense of bravery among his soldiers who fought on American battlefields (â€Å"American President†). He once said â€Å"In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins (â€Å"Ulysses S. Grant Quotes† brainyquote). The man we know as Grant was an honorable man who entrusted others and did not see dishonor in them. This man lead the country through troubled times from the Mexican-American War as well as the American Civil War. His leadership prowess was sure something else that most generals of the time could not match. Grant had much respect for his enemies, he believed in destroying the army of his enemy rather than just taking over their lands. Ulysses S. Grant is deserving of a lifetime achievement award because of his military skills in the Mexican-American War, Civil War and his abilities to pass the fifteenth amen dment to the constitution during his presidency which positively affected the United States. Grant’s early years showed great potential for his later life. He was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio on April 27, 1822 but Grant’s mother would sell there tannery and move the family a few miles east in Ohio to Georgetown, Ohio. As a youngster Grant would work on his family farm, collect firewood and maintain the horses, farmers would watch him train and take care of the horses, he was a local celebrity because of his abilityShow MoreRelatedEssay on Ulysses S. Grant Was a True Epic Hero1111 Words   |  5 Pagesdid many good things for our country. Ulysses S. Grant, to me, is an epic hero because he lead and fought in the army for our country and he was a great president. Ulysses S. Grant was born with the name Hiram Ulysses Grant. He was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio. Grant was named by his grandmother after his father lent her a book named Telemachus by Fenelon. His grandmother named him after Odysseus, but with Odysseus’ Roman name Ulysses. Him and his parents had moved the nextRead MoreUlysses S. Grant and His Contribution to America Essay example1590 Words   |  7 Pagesis what General Ulysses S. Grant as the highest ranking officer of the Union Army, wrote to the opposing the highest ranking officer of the opposing Confederate army, General Robert E. Lee on April 7, 1865. (Alter, 2002) In 1861, the Southern states of the United States of America had seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America, and President Lincoln deciding it was worth it to bring them back, declared war, sparking the American Civil War. (Gaines, 2009) Grant joined the armyRead MoreA Leader Is One Who Knows The Way1293 Words   |  6 Pageswas true for Ulysses S. Grant as he commanded armies and led a nation with his undeniable leadership skills. In his youth, Grant worked in his father’s tannery, skinning animals for leather. The work conditions were terrible, and Grant hated it. However, â€Å"During these years he developed the qualities that later marked him--fearlessness, self-reliance, resourcefulness, determination† (â€Å"Ulysses Simpson Grant†). These qualities would help form the powerful leader he is known as. Ulysses S. Grant’s fatherRead MoreLincoln, Grant, And Whitman1605 Words   |  7 PagesLincoln, Grant, and Whitman Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Walt Whitman all represent a period of time in which the United States was embroiled in turmoil. From the year 1861 to 1865, the Union army from the North battled the Confederacy of the South, and when it came to an end at the Appomattox Courthouse, over 620,000 men had lost their lives (Civil War Casualties, n.d.). President Abraham Lincoln had finally found a general he could trust in Ulysses S. Grant, who had forced the surrenderRead MoreEssay about The Reconstruction Era: The Planted Seeds1231 Words   |  5 PagesThe first roar of the Civil War ended with a last gasp for air. Where in such a war more than six hundred twenty thousand men sacrificed their lives for their own belief in the abolishment of slavery (â€Å"Civil War Facts†). â€Å"We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom† (Baslor). These wise words of Abraham Lincoln cleared t he way of a desolate trail of violence and pain, yet he was determined to accomplish his plansRead MoreEssay about Hiram Ulysses Grant : Sloppy Drunk or Honorable Icon?534 Words   |  3 PagesHiram Ulysses Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio. Ulysses grew up loving horses. He loved riding, and taking care of them. His father Jesse Root Grant was a tanner and made a good living for his family. His mother Hannah Simpson Grant was said to be a mysterious and distant woman who didnt offer much Support or affection to young Ulysses. Nonetheless his parents had very high Expectations of him. His father wanted him to attend school and become a successfulRead MoreTaking a Look at Ulysses S. Grant639 Words   |  3 PagesUlysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant, the eighteenth president of the United States, was a man of many notions. Grant endured a long journey from horseman to general. This journey continued all the way to President of the Unites States. From being born in a small white cottage, all the way to piecing together the Union, Grant has done it all. In the sixty-three years that Grant was alive, he made many positive impacts and shaped our country for the better. Born Ulysses Hiram Grant, on April 27Read MoreWho Is Buried in Grants Tomb? Essay1163 Words   |  5 Pagessome guy named Grant and he is on the fifty dollar bill. Now I can tell you that Ulysses S. Grant was a Civil War hero and the eighteenth President of the United States. The son of an Ohio tanner, he was a West Point graduate. He made many notable contributions to the Civil War that eventually led to South surrendering to the North. Yet he made many not so notable contributions to the Presidency. Sickness ended his life just after he completed his personal memoirs. Ulysses S. Grant was not reallyRead MoreJohn J. Crittenden1245 Words   |  5 PagesNorth; the break or the failure of this compromise further angered both sides of the United States. 2. Fort Sumter Fort Sumter was a fort located at Charleston harbor in South Carolina. The attack from the Southern army at Fort Sumter started the Civil War between the Northern and Southern States. Abraham Lincoln sent help to the Union Army with food and resources that were short to Fort Sumter. However, the Confederate Government, the Southern and slave states, decided to capture the Fort insteadRead MoreMilitary Strategy and Tactics of the Civil War Essay1373 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Civil War was one of the deadliest wars in American history, resulting in 620,000 casualties of soldiers and undetermined number of civilian casualties. Southern slave states declared their withdrawal from United States and formed the Confederate States of America; also know as â€Å"The Confederacy.† Northern twenty states free of slavery and five slave states in north came to knows as the Union. Many strategy and tactics were used during the American Civil War. In order to understand the

Which Is More Important Appearance vs Personality free essay sample

Maybe some people think personality is more important, like being nice, caring, etc is more important, unfortunately, the world sees physical well first, and when they get to know the person they will know the person’s personality. I mean, who doesn’t want to be born pretty? About personality, we can develop it later. Not all beautiful appearance makes an ugly personality. So I think what is more important is appearance. Good physical attributes can allow one to be socially accepted and provide one with more opportunities to interact with others. For example is Quinn Fabray from Glee, she is a very beautiful cheerleader, although her words are very mean, she is socially accepted in the community because she is pretty and many people admired her beauty. This is very true. People tend to conform to the societal standard of beauty in order not to be discriminated and isolated. It is evident that people who are considered ugly will be discriminated upon, for example; children start to pick whom they will like as playmates according to facial attractiveness. We will write a custom essay sample on Which Is More Important : Appearance vs Personality or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Having a good looking appearance gives you higher self-esteem. People who are not appealing tend to be miserable and jealous, but people who are attractive are more confident and happy. According to ezinearticles. com â€Å"10-Habits-of-People-With-High-Self-Esteem†; People with high self-esteem think positively. Self-esteem is essentially the skill of thinking positively about oneself, so developing the habit of positive thinking in general will raise your chances of also having a positive attitude towards yourself. People with high self-esteem smile and laugh a lot. Feeling happy makes they look at both themselves and their lives in a positive way. They always want to develop themselves and their lives. They are not afraid of facing the dark sides of themselves, and they always strive to understand themselves. They have a strong base of trust and confidence. They listen to others, they are respectful, they are empathetic and they genuinely care about the welfare of other people. People with high self-esteem also expect the best to happen. So good looking people have higher self-esteem, and they tend to be happy. They’re also not afraid to do new things and not afraid to fall apart. People with good looking face have higher self-esteem, and causes better performance the people who are not confident and not appealing. Good appearance also makes a good personality, because they think positive and raises chances to have a positive attitude towards themselves and others. At work attractive people can receive all kinds of benefits. According to spring. org. uk, first of all they may get higher starting salaries, perhaps because their qualifications are perceived as more solid and their potential as greater. Then, later on, they have an advantage in promotions like promotional models because they have beautiful appearance. Quoted from business insider. com (Oct 9, 2012); â€Å"Studies have shown that attractive people are usually hired sooner, get promotions more quickly, and are paid more than their less-attractive coworkers. † Attractive people earn an average of 3 or 4 percent more than people with below-average looks, according to Daniel Hamermesh, professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin and author of the book Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful. From the survey and what experts said, we can see attractive people can get more money while working. Because, I think other people choose to interact with them, to spend time near them, talk with them, buy insurance from them, and hire them as employees. They attract people by their beauty, and therefore they can get more money than people with not good-looking appearance. When we look at attrac tive people, we have a tendency to think that they are funnier, more friendly, more intelligent, more exciting, in possession of better social skills, are more interesting, poised and even more independent. This is the perfect example of halo effect. The halo effect is the idea that global evaluations about a person (e. g. she is likeable) bleed over into judgments about their specific traits (e. g. she is intelligent). Hollywood stars demonstrate the halo effect perfectly. Because they are often attractive and likeable we naturally assume they are also intelligent, friendly, display good judgment and so on. In the same way politicians use the halo effect to their advantage by trying to appear warm and friendly, while saying little of any substance. People tend to believe their policies are good, because the person appears good. Its that simple. We look at attractive people, and we start judging them, about their traits, thinking that they’re friendly, interesting, intelligent, etc, which may be not true. Politicians, tried to appear warm, kind, etc, while the reality is they’re taking advantage of this ‘halo effect’. Attractive people make a more accurate first impression. More accurately, if you think the person is beautiful, you pay closer attention when identifying their personality traits, according to a new University of British Columbia study published in the December edition of Psychological Science. From straight. com (Dec 2012); UBC psychology professor Jeremy Biesanz, who co-authored the study with PhD student Lauren Human and undergraduate student Genevieve Lorenzo, spoke with the Straight about the trios findings. The study placed more than 75 male and female participants into small groups for three minute, one-on-one conversations. After each interaction, each participant rated the person they spoke with on physical attractiveness and five major personality traits. Biesanz said that the study confirmed what most already know—beautiful people have it pretty good. â€Å"We know that people spend more time looking at and paying attention to more attractive individuals,† he said. â€Å"They also discern their personality characteristics more accurately. † This proves that attractive people has a good impression, and makes us pay closer attention to them. The reason why first impressions are so important is because humans are tremendously judgmental. Even when we don’t realize what we are doing, our minds are constantly evaluating everything around us. We decide, I like this, but I don’t like that. I like this person, I don’t like that person. Appearance is more important than personality, it’s not that personality is not important, but appearance makes a more good impression, and attractive people tend to have more advantages, such as business or work, and socially accepted in the community. They also have higher self-esteem and think positive. If we have a bad personality, we can actually change it if we have the will to be a good person and we can develop it, but appearance, we cannot change it as what we want (that’s why many people do plastic surgery). So personality is important, but appearance is more important. please take full credits if youre using my esssay 😉 twitter @AimeeJsminee