Section I (pages 3-4) Commentary:
In this passage, there is a recollection of the Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC. Using this historic event, the passage attempts to criticize colonialism for its cruelty. By eloquently undermining the justifications of colonialism, Conrad manages to effectively critique it and its ironic nature. Through the use of light and dark imagery, the cyclic nature of colonialism and distortion of time, the readers are enlightened with an enhanced understanding of Conrad’s critique.
Imagery of light and darkness in the passage serve to emphasize the extent of Roman heroism while as the same time implicate the savage roots from which England has developed. As Marlow says, “Light came out of this river since – you say knights?”, the readers sense an immediate praise of the Roman’s warriors. As well, he says that “darkness was here yesterday,” as he ponders of the “feelings of a commander of a fine […] trireme in the Mediterranean, ordered suddenly to the north; run overland across the Gauls.” Through this, Conrad manages to undermine the English. He described the Roman soldiers as “lost in a wilderness”, and describes England, this wilderness, with words such as: “cold, fog, tempest, disease, exile, and death”. The savagery of the British is made apparent through Marlow’s depiction. The juxtaposition of “savage” England and colonialism effectively strips away the British’s justification for their colonizing acts.
