The social and political conditions to which a society is subjected profusely influences the way in which a reader constructs meaning from a novel. This is clearly apparent in Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness, in relationship to some racial and ethnicity issues raised in the novel alternative societies will most likely develop a different understanding of the novel and the approach which the novel and it's characters take. As Heart of Darkness explores the contrast between the European colonial society and the tribal people of the Belgian Congo there is a constant conflict between the two civilizations, in their values, rituals and beliefs. Conrad also establishes contrasting opinions and perspectives on the conflict by constructing diverse reactions to the tension by each individual character.

With the different reactions, observations and opinions of the characters a strong perspective is developed on the two cultures, which could then be...