Since the novel's start, it develops a clear setting that determines the character's actions. During Conrad's times colonialism ruled the world. Although he did not necessarily live during the era of "blank spaces on earth" (10), the desire for exploration these brought did move the exploration movement that resulted in the colonial system that appears so prominently in the novel. In these first pages, he portrays the birth of colonialism with a powerful image evoked here: "Now when I was a little chap I had a passion for maps. I would look for hours at South America, or Africa, or Australia and lose myself in all the glories of exploration. At that time there were many blank spaces on earth, and when I saw one that looked particularly inviting on a map (but they all look that) I would put my finger on it and say, When I grow up I will go there".(10)
Furthermore, with this quote we can imagine the young nations of Europe looking at the rest of the world with innocent eyes filled with curiosity and dreams. Soon, "the glories of exploration" seduced these infant countries into taking such enormous pieces of the world that, even the vast wealth acquired during their conquest, could not keep the empires whole. Indeed, when these matured as empires, they had gone everywhere they had put their "finger" on. Essentially, with this quotation, Conrad vividly shows the birth of colonialism.
Since the beginning the author shows key elements that define his style. We can expect imagery and metaphor to show deep social critique pouring out of every chapter, if not every page. Although his writing may differ greatly for other texts dealing with the same topic, I find his main theme horrendously repetitive in the school's curriculum. Anyhow, however much I dislike the topic, his description is the best one I have read. Only for this, I will dedicate my three blogs to the creative ways he used to teach this overused, over talked and over discussed school subject.
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