Depiction of Africa in Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

Depiction of Africa in Heart of ugliness         Chinua Achebe believes that Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness is racist based on Conrads descriptions of Africa and its tribe.  Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart, stresses Conrads depiction of Africa as the antithesis of Europe and civilization, and the animal imagery present throughout the novella.         Heart of Darkness, indite in 1899 during the period of British Imperialism, concerns a British trading play along and their expedition into the Congo for ivory.  The African natives be treated brutally by the Europeans, and despite Conrads casual condescension towards the Africans, one cannot help feeling cheekiness at the unnecessary cruelty they must endure.  The novella stands as a document against the imperialist practices -- Conrad was quite liberal for the time.         The natives are referred to as savages several(prenominal) times throughout the story, but Conrad is not using any peculiarly strong words for the time.  The European audiences who would be reading would not note anything racist about it.  By todays more sensitive standards, such complaisance is more serious, but turn-of-the-century England was sure to expect far harsher.  Educated people reading Conrads novel should understand the differences between the past and the present, and be kind of his language.         The deeper the expedition progressed into the center of the continent, the more isolation was felt by the crew.  In a sense, Central Africa IS the antithesis of Western Europe -- it lacks not only the feverous urban structures but also the Social Darwinist attitudes of the time.  It is in this remote surroundings that man must face his true self without any illusions, and the sin of the human soul is apparent.  The uncivilized environment may mock occidental civilizat ions refinement, but this is not derogatory towards the jungle, but rather an eye-opener to the European audience.         By exhibiting the deeds of the Europeans, their portrayal becomes so negative that they become the savages.  Conrad clearly is kindly to the plight of the Africans, and any racial epithets, if not accepted by progressives of the time,  are not meant as attacks directed at the natives.  It should be obvious that Conrad is on their side -- or is this undermined by the mindlessness of its context and the pretty open