The Better of Two Evils

     Conrad juxtaposes Europe with Africa in order to set the countries as foils for one another to highlight their distinct forms of evil. Africa is portrayed as a very uncivilized, savage, and beastly continent. In addition, it is saturated with corrupt leaders that crave the failure of others for personal gain. As Kurtz is inhaling his final breaths, one of the competing managers "leaned back, serene, with that peculiar smile of his sealing the unexpressed depths of his meanness" (154). Conrad blatantly describes the brutality of the station leaders not only to the natives but also to their peers to capture the corruption of Africa. Cruel and brutal Africa is contradicted by the safe and ignorant Europe. When Marlow returns to Europe, his problems diminish in danger but increase in frustration. He is approached by multiple characters inquiring about the detailed notes outlining the experiences of Kurtz. Marlow refuses to "give up the smallest scrap out of that package" (156). The actions of the people in Europe continue to aggravate Marlow, and he comments: "I had no particular desire to enlighten them, but I had some difficulty in restraining myself from laughing in their faces so full of stupid importance" (156). Europe is the land of the civilized, the wealthy, and the ignorant. Marlow becomes more flustered by the selfish actions of the Europeans than when the savages began shooting at the steamboat on the river, demonstrating the pettiness of Europe. Conrad heightens the contrast between Africa and Europe in order to emphasize the evil possessed by each. Africa represents the physical and overtly apparent cruelties of life, whereas Europe demonstrates the corruption and ignorance behind our actions.