Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Heart Of Darkness: Heart Of Controversy - College Essay

Heart Of Darkness: Heart Of Controversy

Chinua Achebe believes that Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness is
racist based on Conrad's descriptions of Africa and it's people. Achebe,
author of Things Fall Apart, stresses Conrad's depiction of Africa as the
antithesis of Europe and civilization, and the animal imagery present
throughout the novella.

Heart of Darkness, written in 1899 during the period of British
Imperialism, concerns a British trading company and their expedition into
the Congo for ivory. The African natives are treated brutally by the
Europeans, and despite Conrad's casual condescension towards the Africans,
one cannot help feeling resentment at the unnecessary cruelty they must
endure. The novella stands as a ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

the
differences between the past and the present, and be forgiving 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 hectic
urban structures but also the Social Darwinist attitudes of the time. It
is in this remote environment that man must face his true self without any
illusions, and the darkness of the human soul is apparent. The uncivilized
environment may mock western civilization's 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 sympathetic 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 ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.

Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE:

APA
MLA
Chicago
Turabian

Heart Of Darkness: Heart Of Controversy. (2008, October 7). Retrieved January 13, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heart-Of-Darkness-Heart-Of-Controversy/91068

"Heart Of Darkness: Heart Of Controversy." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 7 Oct. 2008. Web. 13 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heart-Of-Darkness-Heart-Of-Controversy/91068>

"Heart Of Darkness: Heart Of Controversy." Essayworld.com. October 7, 2008. Accessed January 13, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heart-Of-Darkness-Heart-Of-Controversy/91068.

JOIN NOW

Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays

PAPER DETAILS

Added: 10/7/2008 09:01:51 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 483
Pages: 2

Save |

Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS

Save and find your favorite essays easier