Demonstrate an Understanding that the Irrationality of Savagery is the Central Theme in of Joseph Conrad's Novella "Heart of Darkness-.
In Joseph Conrad's novella "Heart of Darkness- the reader is presented with the character of Marlow the protagonist, who begins by telling the passengers onboard a ship about his experiences in the Belgian Congo. The novella gradually becomes increasingly sinister as Marlow progresses ever closer to the centre of the jungle following a river "a snake- that had "charmed- him into going to the Congo Moreover, at the centre of this river lies the "heart of darkness- where, Marlow endeavours to encounter the character Kurtz who has developed a prominent position in the region through "suppression- and "extermination-. Eventually the reader realises that the colonisers and consequently not the natives perpetrate all the savage and violent acts in the Congo. .
Furthermore, Conrad continues by portraying Marlow as a stereotypical English gentleman whilst being an impressive and independent thinker who draws his own conclusions this informs the reader that although Marlow's opinion may be influenced by his European corruption: his conclusions and thoughts are crucial to comprehension of the theme. On arrival Marlow notes that the behaviour of the natives is not what he expected, their savage nature appears dormant, even no existent. The author increases the development of this idea by depicting their obedience to the colonists in several scenes. The author also shows the colonist perception of the natives as little more than property or in Marlow's word, "machinery . statuary."" In addition to this point the author show by creation of scenes where the colonists' negative attitude and flawed perception of the natives are directly related to or are the instigation for violence.
Moreover, at the outer station Marlow encounters several natives dying, quietly and without treatment or any form of medication in an isolated area of foliage yet only minutes away are ample supplies to save these people.