In Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Africa is described as the "dark continent" not only because its inhabitants are dark-skinned, but because it is a place considered trapped in the primordial darkness. In search of Mr. Kurtz, Marlow's character says, "To go up that river was like traveling back to the dawn of the world... you believed yourself bewitched and cut off forever from all you had once known" (Conrad 30 ). Here the reader is presented with the idea that white people in Africa are separate from everything they consider "civilized." Many of the white people in the novel believe that Africa's darkness comes from the savagery of its native inhabitants. However, perhaps the conflict arising from the stereotype of the licentious, idolatrous, and ambiguous black man does not explain the events of the middle of the novel as well as those of the crazed white man. In his novel, Conrad shows us that in colonial societies the individual's superego has the dangerous potential of being ignored and perhaps even permanently suppressed in favor of the id. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay It has been argued that nations throughout history have justified imperial conquest by dismissing subjugated peoples as degenerate members of savage races. However, in Heart of Darkness, Marlow's character observes that in the case of conquerors, "...strength is but an accident arising from the weakness of others" (Conrad 4). Marlow recognizes that the distribution of power in the world is not the result of the moral right of Europeans or any other group of peoples to rule over "inferior beings" in foreign lands. But he also says that “he who faces darkness” can be redeemed by an “idea” (Conrad 4). This idea is that of the moral obligation of Europeans to act as emissaries of light bringing civilization to the savages. Thus, although the environmental conditions of the European continent that allowed for rapid technological progress were all that separated the peoples of the Caucasus from the rest of the world, claiming that the brutal conquest was motivated by a divine purpose, they were able to maintain their moral position high. In recognizing this truth, Marlow, unlike the other white men in the novel, is able to see the hypocrisy inherent in the mission to civilize. Marlow's "business is run for profit", as he is tempted to tell his aunt, and once he arrives in Africa he realizes that this fact creates a moral cesspool where the seven deadly sins are cultivated (Conrad 10). A character who exemplifies some of these is the "papier-mch Mephistopheles". Being one of the pilgrims, he shows greed in wanting to be appointed to an ivory trading post and laziness in doing nothing about his assigned task, brick making. Furthermore, envy and anger are shown when he intrigues against the other pilgrims and demands information from Marlow. Finally, her silver vanity case is an example of her pride. Marlow, who is devoted to efficiency, is disgusted by the Pilgrims' utter lack of initiative, and thus is fascinated by the stories of Mr. Kurtz, who is described as "an emissary of piety, science, and progress" (Conrad 22). Perhaps there is at least one man who takes seriously the mission of "weaning those ignorant masses from their horrible ways" (Conrad 10). However, Marlow begins to realize that, although seemingly on a moral mission, the white man does much to exacerbate the situation. difficult situation of the "poor savages". Encountering a chain gang on his way to the first station, Marlow describes them as “black shadows of disease and hunger” (Conrad 14). It is significant that these men are criminals in the eyes,