Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad - Free Essay Example

Though European countries had been invading lesser developed countries for centuries, their involvement in other countries thrived in a period known as the Age of New Imperialism as their thirst for power grew. Author Joseph Conrad, in his novella Heart of Darkness, addresses this topic of imperialism in a social criticism of the European colonization in Africa. This literary piece was revolutionary during the time period, as it addressed the issue of the rampant racism, mistreatment, and destruction that European colonists brought to the African country Congo. The author portrays the corruption of imperialism through the development of one of the main characters, Kurtz, and his journey through the Congo jungle, thematic elements of darkness, and a melancholy style of writing. Joseph Conrad provides a negative depiction of the European distortion of lesser developed countries through the cutthroat methods of Kurtz as he ventures through the Congo and the opposition he faces from protagonist Marlow. As a central figure in the novella, the character of Kurtz embodies the barbarity of European imperialism. Marlow satisfies the function of antagonizing Kurtz through skepticism the position of power that he holds as he views how far he will go in the mistreatment of the native Congo people in order to gain ivory. Marlowrs ambiguity toward the morality behind imperialism is displayed in his thought process surrounding Kurtz. When discussing Kurtz, Marlow states, They only showed that Mr. Kurtz lacked restraint in the gratification of his various lusts, that there was something wanting in him some small matter which, when the pressing need arose, could not be found under his magnificent eloquence (Conrad 45). The quote not only divulges the authority that Kurtz possesses due to his appealing nature, but the abuse that occurs because of the lacked restraint of his various lusts. During the Age of New Imperialism, European countries ranked the most powerful because they used their modern developments as a way to dominate third world countries who did not have such and take advantage of their resources. In this novella, the high-ranking position of authority Kurtz holds personifies the powerful entity of all European colonizers and his mistreatment of the native people for the ivory trade business exemplifies just a snippet of the extortion occuring due to imperialism. Asian Social Science additionally remarks on the issue, Kurtz yielded to their combined power by using his authority as deity to help him attain his goals he was representative of the European colonizers, and his behavior represented the wills of what he belonged to (Zhao 148). Through the characterization of Kurtz, author Joseph Conrad intends to simulate an idea of the at rocities of imperialism in order to expose an issue that at the time everyone had looked the other way to.

Theme of Family in The Grapes of Wrath - Free Essay Example

Today if anything is trying to hold you back, give no attention to it. Get your hopes up, get your faith up, look up, and get ready to rise up (Germany Kent). These words of encouragement by Germany Kent advise others to stay sturdy in the toughest of situations. In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, the author John Steinbeck strongly emphasizes the theme of poverty, unjust, and the human spirit. Based on the migrant workers during Americas Dust Bowl, the Joad family faces many difficult struggles such as hunger and the loss of their home. Despite the various factors that pushed the family away from each other at times, Ma Joad stands there as a backbone who helps pull the family back together promising to assuage the future in hope of prosperity. Jim Casy is an ex-preacher who ends up coming across Tom Joad; he teaches the family members about the impact of any situation in an individuals life and the search within, to find out ones identity. The Joad family is forced to start a new life in California with their heads up in search of better opportunities and new jobs. Expressed through their actions and beliefs, both Ma Joad and Jim Casy exhibit strong leadership that fuels the perseverance of their surrounding characters. Ma Joad exhibits an immense amount of self-control and selflessness during her familys frustrations and struggles during their journey. Nevertheless, Ma realizes that the family will only be successful if she remains serene in any situation that approaches her. She does not get furious like the rest of the family, but rather stays tranquil and does not remonstrate with Ruthie when she tells others about Toms secret. Warren Motley discusses in his work how Ma Joad acts as a cohesive force within the family to survive the long expedition. By usurping the patriarchs role as the head of the family, Ma breaks tradition to achieve what is needed for the family (Motley 6). Before the journey even takes a start, Grandpa refuses not to come in the Joads truck, so Ma Joad mixes in sleep time cough medicine in his coffee, which makes him go to sleep. During the journey to California, the family takes a pit stop because of a truck damage. Tom suggests that the rest of the family keep moving forw ard and that he will see them in California. Ma, however, is desperate to prevent the family from breaking up and insists, I aint a-gonna go (Steinbeck 168). Shortly after the Joad family enters the Route 66 to California, Grandmas health begins to decline. Grandma becomes seriously ill shortly after; therefore, Ma Joad nurses her. In fact, Ma wants the family to cross this strenuous journey and to have unity throughout. She tries to keep Grandmas death a secret because she knows this will cause the family to be discouraged. When the family pulls their car into the patrol area to cross the border, the officers ask to see Grandma. Ma persuades the officers that Grandma is extremely ill and that she needs serious assistance, letting them pass through. During Rose of Sharons pregnancy, Ma stands by her side: providing her food, taking care of her health, and fulfilling her needs. She continuously shapes Rose of Sharon into the independent women she needs to become. Nonetheless, she nurtures her so later in life she can provide for others. Mas sweet voice is expressed to be, so soft, so full of love, that tears crowded into Rose of Sharons eyes (Steinbeck 110). Rose of Sharon understands Ma because she knows that she is preparing her for al l the burdens that come into a womans life. Warren discusses the final disastrous chapters where Ma Joad takes in hand the familys money, handles Ruthies betrayal of Toms hiding place, finds the family work, leads them away from the flooded railroad car, and finally urges Rose of Sharon to suckle the starving man (Motley 9). Ma Joad is the battery of this family since she always keeps it going in the right direction to achieve their dreams. This novel discusses many of the diverse characters who experience uncertainty through growth and many hardships. Jim Casy is an ex-preacher who comes across a former preacher, Tom Joad. He performs several sacrifices for the better of the family. During a crime scene when Tom nearly gets arrested, Casy takes the blame and gets arrested for the scuffle in Hooverville symbolizing Casys god-like behavior. Casy Jim realizes through the actions and behaviors of the people, when he is in the unemployed and homeless campsite; he realizes that the people do not have sufficient amount of wage to live. His sympathy and desire to better those around him lead him to create a workers union: demanding a better pay for the poor migrant workers. In contrast, the employers do not like this so Jim is labeled as red which means someone who stirs up many problems. Jim Casy guides Tom to follow his footsteps. As shown in Chapter 28 when Tom is giving Ma an explanation regarding Jim and his death, he strongly expressesWherever theys a fight so hungry people can eat, Ill be there. Wherever theys a cop beatin up a guy, Ill be there See? God, Im talkin like Casy. Comes of thinkin about him so much. Seems like I can see him sometimes (Steinbeck, 419). Exhibited from this quote, Casy led people in finding their faith. The critic Rachel McCoppin makes a powerful connection on Jim Casys role in the novel: he compares Jim to Jesus Christ in the bible by saying, Casy does not merely want to preach Gods word, but to experience lifes hardship first hand alongside othersin a way Jesus did as well (McCoppin 6). Similar to Christs sacrifice, Jim ends up dying due to his act of resisting the injustices of the people. Jims legacy is passed on to those like Tom who will continue what he has started. Ma Joad and Jim Casy keep the family glued together through thick and thin. Ma Joad in the novel focuses on one goal which was to put humanity first; she exemplifies this when she kindly asks for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson to accompany the Joad family to California. After a lengthy time in the jail, Jim comes up with ways he can be salutary to earn money for the poor migrant workers. Ma and Jim convey the same perspective when Jim vents, Theys gonna come somepin outa all these folks goin wes- outa all their farms lef lonely. Theys gonna come a thing thats gonna change the whole country (Steinbeck 117). To sum up,Similarly, Jim Casy preaches the fact that everyone is part of the same soul; through this statement we can see the reason that Ma Joad wanted everyone to go to California together was so they can become more united, and hit the same struggles. Through the actions and words of Ma Joad and the preaching philosophy of Jim Casy, the Joad family stays intact throughout their journey to California. Ma Joad believes in togetherness and makes suitable decisions for her family and others accompanying them. Through various examples of Mas leadership qualities, Ma always exhorts the family to stay as one because if they are together they can carry out any task given. Jim Casy tries to fight for justice for the workers, but in doing so he gets killed. At first, Tom only cares about himself and focuses on how he can succeed on his own, but soon his thoughts line up with Jims. Ma Joads selfless acts and Jims death gave everyone a new beginning, and a reason to live with hope and endurance.