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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 ...

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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 ...

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Heart Of Darkness: Heart Of Controversy. (2008, October 7). Retrieved January 22, 2025, 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. 22 Jan. 2025. <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 22, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Heart-Of-Darkness-Heart-Of-Controversy/91068.

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PAPER DETAILS

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

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