Colonization and Wealth in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness and Chinua

Colonization and Views on Wealth in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebes Things illumine ApartThe novels Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe share a common theme both deal with the colonization of Africa by settlers from Europe. When maven examines the motives for this imperialist attitude in each book, one notices that in both books the motivation for colonization revolves around the gaining of riches. However Conrad and Achebe set wealthiness differently. In Heart of Darkness the Europeans view wealth economically, much(prenominal) as the trading of ivory. In Things Fall Apart the idea of wealth is viewed by Europeans as belonging to and spreading the European culture and religion. notwithstanding these different definitions of wealth, both groups of Europeans start their wealth by assuming a position of power over the Africans. However, the Africans in Things Fall Apart waste an opposing view of wealth that of peace an d status within their society. Because of this they extend to wealth in a different manner than the Europeans. These methods of acquiring wealth suggest that the conflicts in Africa are a result of the colonization efforts of the Europeans. The primary(prenominal) reason for colonization of Africa by Europeans is for service. In the novel Heart of Darkness, profit comes from the ivory that the Europeans receive from trade agreements with the Africans. This desire is evident as suggested in this quote The only real feeling was a desire to regulate appointed to a trading-post where ivory was to be had, so that they could earn percentages (Conrad 42). This controversy shows that all the Europeans want from Africa is ivory. Therefore, it can be assumed that one of the briny reasons that colonization to... ...onial conflict is entirely one sided. The Europeans have been shown to define wealth as gaining money and spreading their religion, therefore they can be seen as the aggressor s in this conflict, reaching outside of their area for personal gain and profit. To obtain this wealth they assume a position of power over the Africans by enslaving them and using their knowledge to overthrow the African culture and religion. The Africans view of wealth and their method for obtaining this wealth in no way involves the Europeans. All that the Africans valued to do was to continue living on their own and to not be intruded upon. From this, one can see that the colonial conflict is entirely due(p) to the Europeans desire for wealth. Works CitedAchebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. new-fangled York Anchor Books, 1994.Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York Penguin Books, 1999.