The essay examines the African colonial saga through Conrad’s African tales. It argues that the European colonial law and policy were a policy of monstrosity, whose aims hid the real commitments of the journey undertaken for trading purposes. Africa’s wealth and resources whet men’s cupidity, competition, lust, covetousness, unscrupulousness; and the imperialistic adventure accepts neither limitations nor constraints stemming from the human rights discourse which should underpin the civilising mission. The emotion attached to such bestial characteristics discloses that emissaries of civilisation “are outside the range of human understanding”: but the path leads to the discovery that the policy of monstrosity is hostile to men.
Monstrosity "Overseas"? Civilisation, Trade and Colonial Policy in Conrad's African Tales
M Nicolini
2019-01-01
Abstract
The essay examines the African colonial saga through Conrad’s African tales. It argues that the European colonial law and policy were a policy of monstrosity, whose aims hid the real commitments of the journey undertaken for trading purposes. Africa’s wealth and resources whet men’s cupidity, competition, lust, covetousness, unscrupulousness; and the imperialistic adventure accepts neither limitations nor constraints stemming from the human rights discourse which should underpin the civilising mission. The emotion attached to such bestial characteristics discloses that emissaries of civilisation “are outside the range of human understanding”: but the path leads to the discovery that the policy of monstrosity is hostile to men.
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