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The painting evinces the dark intentions of Britain's colonization of Africa. The black and gloomy background is a representation of the rural Africa before colonial rule. Moreover, the woman, who seems to have a sinister approach looks as if she is going to conquer the light with her lit torch. This light represents British colonial rule. Marlow sees Britain's colonization in a negative light because rather than bettering Africa Britain is colonizing Africa for economic profit. The light is misleading because it is not seen as something positive here; however, Marlow uses light as the darkness of British rule because instead of helping Africa they only care about reaping monetary benefits from Africa.