When you hear about the Victorian era, what goes through your mind? One of your first thoughts probably goes to Queen Victoria herself, one of the longest-serving monarchs in England's history. You might also think about the architecture and homes that became popular in that era. You may believe, as many do, that the Victorian era was characterized by progress and improvement. This is true. Much progress was made during the Victorian era. For example, between 1809 and 1839, exports grew from 25.4 to 76 million pounds. Great Britain also made advances in communications, using the steamship, the railway, and the electric telegraph. James Watt and Matthew Boulton improved Britain's major industries by using steam power in coal mining. The First and Second Reform Acts allowed all men in the country to vote, and this eventually led to women voting in 1918. The first illustrated weekly newspaper was founded in 1842, allowing the working class to stay informed about the news. The list of improvements made during the Victorian era goes on and on. Despite progress in the British economy, people's souls have not been improved in the same way. Although the Victorian era was an era of progress, there was also a lot of evil and cruelty. Victorian weaknesses were especially noted by Joseph Conrad, who lived in this era. He knew from first-hand experience the evils of colonialism and racism. He was able to see the emptiness of civilization in the world and he saw that emptiness as a great evil. This became the theme of his book, Heart of Darkness. Conrad demonstrated the emptiness of man in the descriptions, actions and thoughts of his characters. Character descriptions are important to readers. A reader must understand what the characters like and dislike... middle of paper... appearances and how to gain as much wealth as possible. Meanwhile, they hide a dark and empty soul. But “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and then loses his own soul”? Conrad was right to call attention to this emptiness, but he was unable to remedy the problem. In Christ we are given this remedy. The only way to fill the void within us is to let Christ fill us with Him. Only then can an empty soul live a fulfilled life. Works Cited1. LitCharts Publishers. “LitChart on Heart of Darkness.” LitCharts.com. LitCharts LLC. 2014. Web. 9 March 2014.2. Corrado, Giuseppe. “Heart of Darkness”. Oxford University Press, New York. 2008.3. “King James Study Bible.” Thomas Nelson, Inc. Liberty University. 1988.4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/vicctorians/victorian_technology_01.shtml5. http://listsoplenty.com/blog/?p=12243