DISCUSS THE RELEVANCE OF THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS AS IT IS PORTRAYED IN THE NOVEL.

Heart of Darkness is based upon the historic Belgian occupation of the Congo during the 19th century. It illuminates the mercilous attempts of Europeans to rule over Africans. The Europeans and the African natives clash, and the natives are ravaged by the supposedly superior Europeans who tout themselves as the more "civilized" people.

The Europeans were certainly more advanced in terms of technology, but their assertion of control and the brutal way they chose to take over native culture leads us to ask exactly who the barbarians really were. The Europeans exhibited no respect or empathy for the culture or the people; Africans were forced into slavery, over-worked, chained like animals, and starved, and those called savage were killed without thought.

Think of the irony in the actions of the Europeans. It was a travesty that has occurred over and over again throughout history.