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Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness. By Joseph Conrad Background Information and Introduction. Joseph Conrad (1857-1924). Born in Poland – English wasn’t his native language! Had served as a riverboat captain in the Belgian Congo. The ‘Dark Continent’.

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Heart of Darkness

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  1. Heart of Darkness By Joseph Conrad Background Information and Introduction

  2. Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) • Born in Poland – English wasn’t his native language! • Had served as a riverboat captain in the Belgian Congo

  3. The ‘Dark Continent’ • For much of the 19th century, the interior of Africa was an unknown mystery, dangerous for white travellers

  4. Colonialism • European powers divided up Africa between them • They competed for land, resources, prestige, power

  5. The Congo River • Major waterway leading into the interior of Africa • Climate is tropical – Europeans not immune to tropical diseases, malaria

  6. The Belgian Congo • Main resource was ivory – much sought after in European markets • Rubber, diamonds also important • African natives were often terribly mistreated by the European administrators

  7. Images of the Congo

  8. Racism of the 19th and 20th centuries • Black Africans were thought by many to be inherently inferior • Childlike • Unintelligent • Incapable of culture or civilization

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