Crossing Shadows: Conrad, Said, and the Journey Between Empire and Exile

Joseph Conrad and Edward Said represent two contrasting intellectual movements—one a Western writer moving southwards into the colonial world, the other an Eastern scholar moving westwards to deconstruct colonial discourse. Conrad’s Heart of Darkness critiques imperialism yet remains bound within a Eurocentric gaze, portraying Africa as the silent ―Other.‖ In con-trast, Said’s Orientalism exposes the ideological structures that sustain such representations, positioning him as both a critic and a product of Western academia. This article explores their intellectual trajectories, the intersections of exile and identity in their works, and the lasting impact of Said’s critique on Conrad’s legacy.