Both Uses of
oppress
in
Heart of Darkness
- Nowhere did we stop long enough to get a particularized impression, but the general sense of vague and oppressive wonder grew upon me.†
Chpt 1 *
- I felt an intolerable weight oppressing my breast, the smell of the damp earth, the unseen presence of victorious corruption, the darkness of an impenetrable night….†
Chpt 3
Definition:
-
(oppress as in: oppressive government) to dominate harshly and unfairly; or to make sufferThe meaning of oppress depends upon its context. For example:
- "The authorities oppress political activists," or "The new nation oppressed Native Americans." -- to dominate harshly and unfairly
- "She is oppressed by excessive debt." - made to suffer