Imperialism is a common theme in the “Heart of Darkness” and the “The Jewel in the Crown”. Both of the novelist, Joseph Conrad, and Paul Scott have treated this theme in their own ways. Hatred against imperialism is vividly described by them. The cruelties of the imperialistic exploiters are strikingly depicted in “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. He explores how secretly the so-called harbingers of enlightenment and civilization exploited the men and material of Congo. Conrad takes all British characters in the “Heart of Darkness” to task and portrays that seductive atmosphere in which they are throwing dust in Congese’s eyes. These British were looting the treasures of their colonies by both hands. Paul Scott has also bitterly criticized the British nation. He criticizes, in “The Jewel in the Crown” the feeling of caste, colour and creed. The follies and absurdities of British characters are beautifully depicted by Scott. Both novelists castigate British for their imperialistic designs.

Another similarity between both the novelists is the absence of any particular chronological order. The events, in both novels, are presented randomly. As in the “Heart of Darkness” & “The Jewel in the Crown”, there is no logical sequence of events which seems to be the hallmark of modern fiction tradition under the influence of stream of consciousness.

As it is said, “Brevity is the soul of wit”, Conrad conveys his message to the reader by ‘brevity’, quite remarkably while Scott’s Raj Quartet is a collection of bulky books. This tendency towards the lack of compactness and brevity creates boredom and tedium in the readers, which is very common in “The Jewel in the Crown”.

Conrad's brevity creates epigrammatic quality in his narrative. His pithy style opens the treasure of epigrams e.g.


There are many other quotations by Conrad in the novel. On the other hand, Scott’s novel does not have such fascinating quality of epigrams. His novel seems to be a social chronicle document.

Conrad has pessimistic strain in “Heart of Darkness” while Scott deals with both negative and positive aspects.

Cosmic pessimism of Conrad is the signature tone of the novel. The world of “Heart of Darkness” is chilly and comfortless. Somber, sinister, inscrutable, unfathomable, unexplorable, unspeakable – these are the words which have been lavishly used by Conrad. Above all, it is candidly clear that the total effect of the narrative is pessimistic even the title itself manifest this. While Scott resents his novel quite realistically along with positive and negative aspects of both Indian and British nations. That is why his novel is called a treatise of the time or historical document.

“Heart of Darkness” is a philosophical novel and regarded as a remarkable piece of literature having distinctive message for the man. In “Heart of Darkness” the Outer, Central and Inner Stations symbolizes ‘a ……….. the self’. It seems to be a spiritual novel where man’s spiritual aspects are beautifully discussed. Whereas Scott’s novel is merely historical-cum-sociological. He deals with political crisis and social aspects of India. He narrates his character’s journey externally while Conrad's approach is very superb in depicting the inner recess of his character.

Conrad makes the best use of his symbolism and images to convince his readers. The use of certain private and public symbols embellishes his narrative. The names of his characters, places, artists and ships show his poetic and philosophic disposition. But in contrary Scott’s use of symbols and imagery is very little in “The Jewel in the Crown”.

Conrad is the creator of atmosphere. He manipulated impressionistic technique with his lofty language, full of colours. The impact of atmosphere changes Kurt’s mentality. It is mysterious how a civilized man becomes a savage. According to Conrad, the African atmosphere enables Kurtz to build a relation with savage soul. He further says, the constructive and destructive aspects of nature do not fascinates but terrifies at the same time while Scott is not the creator of atmosphere time yet he mentions nature, very little as Bibighar Garden.

Conrad's style is quite different from that of Scott. He is famous for his oblique point of view. Different critics and readers have interpreted his symbols in different ways. On the contrary, Scott had done his job by employing investigative journalistic technique and mass observation technique. His point of view about British Raj is as clear as ‘crystal’. He plays the role of mediator bet, the rulers and the ruled.

An air of obscurity prevails throughout the “Heart of Darkness”. The reader takes this treatment from writer’s side, quite abominably. Conrad's reference to the background is very scanty. While Scott writes in a matter of fact tone and highlights the down to earth realities quite successfully and impressively. His political and social approach compels him to keep things before the readers without any ambiguity or obscurity.

Conrad's characters show external and internal world. He enables his readers to peep into the inner most recesses of his characters. He seems to be a true psychiatrist. While Scott’s “The Jewel in the Crown” has very little psychological implications or connotations. He shows the external rambling world of his characters.

To some extent, Conrad deliberately confines his book to very few major or manor characters like Marlow, Kurtz and Niggress. On the contrary, there is a multitude galaxy of characters in the “The Jewel in the Crown”.

“Heart of Darkness” does not inform the reader about the cultural, historical and religious background of Congese, although the description of some savage rituals is mentioned in the novel. On the other hand, the reader gets the panoramic picture of whole India. The customs and traditions like Suttee, Hoolf, Crippling law suits and feudalism of Indians are beautifully narrated by Scott in detail.

The Congese do not launch liberation movement as quickly as the Indians do. Therefore, the people in Congo worship Kurtz as if some demi-god. It is against their belief to launch a movement against their masters. On the other hand, the Indians leave no stone unturned to defeat British Imperialism and Empire. At last, in 1947, the British had to lick the dust before the natives. Two separate countries, Pakistan and India were the fruit for people.

Conrad uses 1st person narration in his novels as Marlow in “Heart of Darkness” while Scott makes the best use of 3rd person narration in the “The Jewel in the Crown”.

Both novelists have diagnosed the disease modern man is inflicted with. Conrad suggests the cure though the trinity of standards that is fidelity, self-restraint and work while Scott leaves his book to the reader to draw his own conclusion.

Conrad predicts the fall of British Empire by giving example of Roman Empire which under the so-called slogan of enlightenment and civilization exploited the natives. But, ironically enough, the British repeated the same practice with same imperialistic intentions. The same prediction isread by Scott in his narratives where he brings all British’s follies and absurdities into light and forecasts their tragic end.