Colonialism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness

by Claudia Durst Johnson (Editor)

Overview

Great literary works resonate with readers not only because of well-developed characters and plots, but also because they often reflect important social themes. The Social Issues in Literature series brings together the disciplines of sociology and literature in a unique format designed to support cross-curricular studies. Each volume explores a work of literature through the lens of the major social issue reflected in it, and features carefully-selected content representing a variety of perspectives. All volumes in the series contain biographical and critical information about the author; secondary excerpts offering both historical and contemporary views of the highlighted social issue; a timeline of the author's life; a "For Further Reading" section of other works on the issue; and a detailed subject index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737758047
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	04/07/2012
Series:	Social Issues in Literature Series
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Chronology 13

Chapter 1 Background on Joseph Conrad

1 Conrad's Life as a Sailor and Writer Monika Brown 17

2 The Destruction of Conrad's Colonial Ideal Jeffrey Meyers 28

Chapter 2 Heart of Darkness and Colonialism

1 The Bright Intentions and Dark Realities of Colonialism in Heart of Darkness Albert J. Guerard 38

2 Victorian Ethics, the New Science, and Colonialism in Heart of Darkness Ian Watt 43

3 Conrad Was Neither a Colonialist Nor a Racist D.C.R.A. Goonetilleke 51

4 The Evils of Colonialism's Petty Bureaucracy Michael Levenson 60

5 The Theme of Death in Heart of Darkness Garrett Stewart 67

6 The Colonizer Becomes the Savage in Heart of Darkness Carola M. Kaplan 75

7 Marlow Dispels the Illusions About Colonialism Bernard J. Paris 83

8 The Irony of Marlow's Narration Shows Him to Be a Semicolonialist Anthony Fothergill 89

9 Kurtz's Evil Is in Adopting Darkness Patrick Brantlinger 99

10 Heart of Darkness Reveals Conrad's Ambivalence Toward Colonialism Frances B. Singh 109

11 An African Defends Conrad's Anticolonialism C.P. Sarvan 119

Chapter 3 Contemporary Perspectives on Colonialism

1 A Poor Continent Rich in Resources John Mukum Mbaku 126

2 Corrupt Native Leaders Give Land Away to Foreigners James Petras 132

3 Biofuels and Neocolonialism Seif Madoffe 137

4 Neocolonialist China in Africa Ali Askouri 143

For Further Discussion 150

For Further Reading 151

Bibliography 152

Index 156