The Representation of Imperialism in 'Nostromo'

Introduction

In his 1904 novel Nostromo, Joseph Conrad provides scathing commentary on imperialism through the corrupting foreign influences that breed greed, corruption, and unintended consequences in the fictional South American country of Costaguana. Through his vivid depiction of imperial powers morally compromising Costaguana for economic gain, Conrad exposes the hypocrisy inherent in supposed “progress” through colonial imposition. This essay will analyze how Nostromo condemns imperialism by portraying its capacity to enable the ambitions of corrupt leaders and erode ethical character.

The Imperial Context of Nostromo

Set in the fictional port city of Sulaco, Nostromo follows Italian expatriate Nostromo's involvement in revolutionary factions vying for power in Costaguana, a developing country exploited by American and European imperial interests seeking mining riches. Rather than bring advancement, the self-serving interference of foreign capital breeds instability as figures like Nostromo become corrupted by ambition. Conrad suggests imperial powers warp the social fabric through introducing avarice.

Imperial Powers and the Seeds of Chaos

Conrad establishes imperialism as morally corrupting through characters like Charles Gould, transformed from idealist to exploiter by foreign capitalist forces. Critic Hugh Edmund Brush argues Gould symbolizes how contact with Western wealth breeds “greed and cruelty” instead of progress (Brush 137). The novel traces Gould’s slow corruption, underscoring imperialism's capacity to decay even noble goals.

Imperial Powers and the Seeds of Chaos

Furthermore, the imperial powers' financial sponsorship of the brutal warlord Guzman Bento reduces Costaguana to violence, exposing the hypocrisy of supposed “civilizing” missions. Critic Benita Parry notes that Conrad condemns the “rapacity and chaos” bred by self-interested foreign intervention (Parry 42). The imperial patrons’ role in enabling atrocities indicts their moral pretensions.

Conclusion

Through its vivid portrayal of imperial powers introducing avarice and instability into Costaguana for economic self-interest, Joseph Conrad's Nostromo scathingly exposes the fundamental hypocrisy and corrupting influence of imperialism beneath pretenses of bringing “progress” abroad. The novel compellingly argues that imperialism's legacy is moral decay rather than advancement.