In Heart of Darkness, the cannibals are more civilized than the pilgrims because they exhibit restraint and composure. Despite facing hunger and having inedible food, the cannibals do not attack Marlow and the pilgrims. They remain calm and composed, even during threatening situations, while the pilgrims panic and act irrationally.

In Heart of Darkness, "efficiency" in the context of imperialism means maximizing resource extraction with minimal waste. This includes using advanced technology and organized methods to achieve goals quickly and economically. While ancient conquerors used brute force, modern imperialists use "efficient" technology to achieve the same brutal results, making conquest appear rational and justifiable. This efficiency dehumanizes natives, reducing them to mere units of labor.

Heart of Darkness criticizes colonialism by highlighting the suffering and exploitation inflicted on colonized populations. Conrad portrays the physical horrors of colonialism, such as torture and enslavement, but also suggests that these atrocities are a manifestation of human nature's greed and capacity for evil. Kurtz's madness and final words, "Horror! Horror!", reflect this deeper condemnation of human nature rather than colonialism alone.

In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, greed is depicted as a core element of the colonial enterprise, driving Europeans to Africa not to civilize but to exploit and amass wealth. This greed erodes their moral values, as seen in Marlow's indifference to his crew's cannibalism, which highlights how Western norms are subverted by colonial greed. The pursuit of riches justifies brutal actions, revealing the dark side of colonialism.

In Heart of Darkness, European futility in Africa is highlighted through several details: the sunken ship at Central Station, which lacks the rivets needed for repair, symbolizes the inefficacy of European efforts. Characters like Kurtz and Marlow experience alienation and moral corruption, showing the lack of beneficial cultural exchange. Additionally, the Eldorado Exploring Expedition's reckless exploitation and the French steamer's ineffective bombardment of the jungle further underscore the fruitlessness of imperialism.

Conrad juxtaposes Marlow’s depiction of imperialism with Buddha’s renunciation of elitism and his reinterpretation of the meaning of enlightenment. Although both are men, they are clearly different in terms of experience and attitude toward violence.

The Outer Station in Heart of Darkness symbolizes European waste and neglect through pointless labor and misplaced priorities. Marlow observes futile efforts like blasting a cliff for no reason, representing wasted resources and manpower. Additionally, the Accountant's focus on personal appearance in the wilderness reflects European attempts to maintain civilization, yet these efforts lack broader purpose and impact. These elements highlight the inefficiency and superficiality of European colonial endeavors.

The cannibal crewmen object to the disposal of the dead helmsman because they are hungry and had lost their supply of hippopotamus meat. They view the helmsman's body as a potential food source, which Marlow finds abhorrent. The pilgrims, on the other hand, disapprove of the lack of a proper funeral or burial for the helmsman. Marlow’s decision to dump the body into the Congo River satisfies neither group but resolves the situation.

The image of Africa in Heart of Darkness is one of negative character. Marlow describes the people of the region as "savages" and "cannibals," as well as saying the country itself is primitive, trapped in a bygone age. Achebe's statement is valid in that it correctly points out the degrading depiction of Africans in the novel, but one could argue that Conrad's novel is chiefly critiquing European colonialism.

Savagery is a recurrent in theme in this novel. It cuts across time and lives in the hearts of all men, but it particularly resides in European imperialism. Civilization is a more problematic term, but it may exist in the ability of people to reflect on their own savagery.