The European invasion in Heart of Darkness The point of view of the European invasion of Africa, seen through the eyes of Marlow in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, takes a dramatic turning point. Initially, Marlow sees through the European point of view, where the invasion is a heroic attempt to tame a mysterious culture, while reaping the benefits of the ivory trade. The descriptions of the natives are inhuman, monstrous and frightening. The change in perception occurs when Marlow begins to see through the eyes of the natives. The result is compassion for an ancient civilization that is very human in its fear of being conquered. Part of Marlow's European point of view comes from the people he respects. From her "excellent aunt's" Christian perspective, there is a duty to "wean those ignorant millions from their horrible ways" (Longman, P.2199). Marlow is influenced by members of society primarily interested in obtaining ivory: “I too have taken part in the great cause of these high and just proceedings” (2202). Europeans considered it heroic to conquer the ignorant and use their ivory for wealth. The description of the walls of the manger's office contained "a collection of spears, assegai, shields, knives hung like trophies" (2208). Furthermore, Kurtz's mission becomes "very important, in the real Ivory country, right at the bottom" (2204). Here the European point of view on the invasion of Africa is heroic and horrible verses. Through Zappa's description Marlow sees the natives for the first time; there is an expression of fear felt towards the uncivilized race not seen as human. After the death of Marlow's African helmsman, Marlow questions his grief at the loss of a "savage who was but a grain of sand in a black Sahara" (2227). Furthermore, when he approaches Kurtz, Marlow's frightening description of an approaching native is: "Some sorcerer, some sorcerer, no doubt! He looked demonic enough" (2237). The fear of the unknown culture manifests itself in “mysterious negroes armed with all kinds of fearful weapons” (2204). In this view, fear is the European excuse for invasion. The change in Marlow's perception towards the natives develops as compassion for the fear that the Europeans have inflicted. Marlow sees through the eyes of the natives with “The gaze of the steamboat had for some reason filled those savages with unbridled grief” (2221). The discovery unfolds that savages are human after all.