Final answer:
Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a critique of colonialism, highlighting the dehumanization of African people and the portrayal of Africa as 'the other world'. It also explores the roles and attitudes of European traders, portrayed as morally corrupt, and African characters, largely voiceless, reflecting on colonial degradation and racial attitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a profound critique of colonialism, particularly focusing on the Belgian exploitation of the Congo. One of the major points includes the portrayal of the African continent as a primitive and ominous 'other world', contrasting sharply with Europe. Another significant aspect is the way Conrad portrays the relationships between European and African characters within the novella, depicting Europeans with 'tainted' souls and Africans as nearly voiceless, which underscores the novella’s theme of colonialism and human degradation. Additionally, Conrad's text is recognized for capturing the ambivalence and critique of the colonial mission during the turn of the 19th century, while critiques by postcolonialists like Chinua Achebe highlight the enduring Eurocentric and racist attitudes perpetuated by the text.
Ultimately, Heart of Darkness serves as a distressing reflection on the dehumanizing effects of colonialism and the moral and ethical ambivalence faced by individuals amidst such exploitation.