Imperialism and Existential Freedom in Works Such as Joseph Conrad’s He

When people think of the concept of imperialism, they usually view it as something that pertains to government. Even the first definition of imperialism in the dictionary is â€Å"imperial state, authority, spirit, or system of government† (Webster 729). However, imperialism encompasses so much more than this. In comparing the resonations between Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness with Johann Goethe’s Faust, one can see how imperialism affects the political, the social, the psychological, and the spiritual, especially within the past 200 years. Stemming from this is man’s existential freedom, his â€Å"mechanical and lifeless existence in society†, explored in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s â€Å"The Grand Inquisitor† and Herman Melville’s â€Å"Bartleby the Scrivener†. Heart of Darkness shows imperialism in more of a physical and psychological perspective. The main character Marlow, in his beliefs, shows a positive side to imperialism. Marlow does openly admit that he does not belong as an invader to this land that is not his; however, he also says that he will try to help these people, the antithesis of most, if not all, of his comrades. Concerning these imperialistic invasions, he says, â€Å"The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea†¦not a sentimental pretence but an idea†¦something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Conrad 64). Marlow is driven by morality and is able to see what is right and wrong; he is not blinded to the truth. The truth that these â€Å"civilized men† are destroying countless numbers of people so that they can worship th... ...fected by this, though; it is the entire world. The majority of people believe only as they are told to believe. Much like in Bartleby the Scrivener, there is no civil disobedience; they do not question the morality of anything. They walk through their existential life completely blind and oblivious to what is happening around them. Two very defining characteristics of the societies present around the world, both past and present, are those of imperialism and existentialism. Whether it be as broad as a government or as small as a person, there is an overwhelming presence of power hunger and greed and complete disregard for those who may be â€Å"in the way†. So too is the seemingly mindless existence which people live life with. What the world strongly needs now is people who actually contain a soul; a soul that makes a human a human. Sadly, this is very much lacking.