Questions for Discussion #2 p. 429

When Marlow speaks of the people of England in the olden days, he characterizes them as barbaric and uncivilized. He then goes on to describe how the Romans invaded and brought with them their culture and technology. These series of events are quite similar to Africa and its colonization by the Europeans. Thus, Marlow's purpose in introducing old England is to set the stage for his exploration of Africa and to simply give a historical perspective to the country's condition.