What does the “flabby, pretending, weak-eyed devil of a rapacious and pitiless folly” represent?
The “flabby, pretending, weak-eyed devil of a rapacious and pitiless folly” represents the imperialists. The imperialists are distinguished by foolishness, unawareness, and inefficiency. The imperialists are pretending their purpose is to help the natives and “civilize” them, but their real intent is to sap natural resources and money from the land. While carrying on this act, they cruelly punish any natives who get in their way. They are turning the land into dirty, cluttered space with broken and dilapidated ‘equipment’. ‘Pretending’ that they are conquering land, in reality, the environment is getting the best of them. Ironically, they believe that they are winning when, in reality, the land is winnining.
