The New York Review of
Books
March 3, 1994
Culture and Imperialism
by Edward W. Said
Knopf, 380 pp.,
$25.00
What redeems certain empires, or perhaps only the British, according to Conrad's Marlow, what saves them from mere rapacity, from being "just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale," is "the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretence but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea—something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to." At this point in Heart of Darkness Marlow is said to break off. It is "only after a long silence" and "in a hesitating voice" that he speaks again, and starts to tell the story of his journey to Africa and his meeting with the mysterious and dying Kurtz.
...The full text of this piece is only available to subscribers of the Review's electronic edition. Articles can also be purchased singly; if you would like to purchase just this article, please press the button below.