Why does Edward Said admire Joseph Conrad Edward Said was a cultural theorist In Culture and Imperialism he studied Joseph Conrad Said admired Conrad for his honesty He clearly showed the cruelty of the empire Though limited Conrad's view was deep Said praised his moral insight and literary power Let us explore why Said respected him Reveals Imperial Cruelty Said admired how Conrad exposed the empire's damage In Heart of Darkness he showed greed and violence He presented imperialism as dark and hollow Said praised this painful honesty He explained it with this quote Conrad's novel embodies the same paternalistic arrogance of imperialism that it mocks This shows Conrad mocked the lies of the empire He showed both its control and its weakness Said valued this bold insight Stuck Inside Empire Though Conrad judged the empire he stayed within it Said believed this made his work real He did not