By the early 20th century, African states had been colonized and were being used by European nations with imperialistic ideals. With imperialism came the praise and promotion of imperialist ideas. However, unlike other historical periods where one nation had taken over, some criticisms were written by some writers living in imperialist countries. Two of these writers were Joseph Conrad, who wrote Heart of Darkness, and George Orwell, who wrote “Shooting an Elephant.” Both of their pieces comment on the dark side of imperialism and the effects it has on colonized states and the states' peoples. In Heart of Darkness, Marlow reaches Africa and sees the brutality inflicted on the natives. They are forced to do backbreaking work for trading companies. The men are treated like slaves and often severely beaten. Europeans who inflict this violence are not penalized for this cruelty, but rather encouraged to do so as if without restraint and without awareness of the suffering they are causing. They are told that these people are their enemies and that they are criminals. Amazed by what he saw, Marlow says: “I saw the devil of violence, and the devil of greed, and the devil of longing, but for all the stars! these were strong, vigorous red-eyed devils who influenced and guided men – men, I tell you” (Conrad 13). These men were not challenged for their actions because the natives had no value. They were numerous and had no value as human individuals. They were simply free tools for the job and if they died it didn't matter because there were at least ten other men who could have taken his place. This lack of respect is not only seen in Africa, but also in Burma in Orwell's “Shooting an Elephant”. After Marlow shot the elephant, the European officers were debating whether or not he should kill such a valuable beast. The younger officers commented, “It was a shame to shoot an elephant for killing a coolie, for an elephant was worth more than any Coringhee coolie” (Orwell 1026). In addition to the imprisonment of indigenous peoples in their homes, imperialism has suffocated the country. People were forced to work without pay and without food rations.