The backdrop of Heart of Darkness is one of the most outrageous humanitarian and environmental crimes in modern history: the late nineteenth-century plunder of the Congo by Leopold II of Belgium.Prompted by greed and jealousy of the colonial might of other European nations, Leopold sought power and wealth by taking personal possession of the Congo,enslaving the people and ravaging land for its natural resources, including ivory and rubber. Several million natives of the Congo died during the period between 1885 and 1908, prompting an international outcry, even from other imperialistic nations.

INTRODUCTION

CHRONOLOGY OF JOSEPH CONRAD"S

LIFE AND WORK

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF Heart of Darkness

THE SECRET SHARER

HEART OF DARKNESS

NOTES

INTERPRETIVE NOTES

CRITICAL EXCERPTS

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE

INTERESTED READER