A brief understanding of Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924)
Conrad: The sailor
Joseph Conrad was born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in Dec., 1857
Born to Polish family, grew up speaking Polish
By age 11, both of his parents had died – went to live with an uncle
At the age of 16, left home and joined the merchant navy
Spent a significant part of his adult life on the ocean
Had many experiences which were later material for his writing
In 1889, he was the captain of a steamboat going up the Congo
River; what he saw, experienced was foundation for Heart of
Darkness
Retired from the sea in 1894; married in 1896 and spent the rest of his life
living in England
Dies in August, 1924 and is buried in Canterbury, England under his Polish
name
Colonialism in Africa (circa 1914)
Colonial Africa
During the late 19 th/early 20th centuries, European powers looked to Africa as
a way of expanding influence, gaining access to resources
Carved up Africa, often with little regard to residents or areas, etc.
Berlin Conference of 1885 created spheres of influence for major European
powers, way to limit conflict between nations
Africa defined by new territories, run by colonial governments who reflected
western culture, ideas
Built railways, bridges, roads, schools, etc. but also created disconnect
between native culture and introduced culture
After WWII, age of colonialism begins to end, areas granted independence
1951 - Libya (Italy)
1956 – Tunisia and Morocco (France)
Following decade saw most of Africa achieving independent rule