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Racism in Heart of Darkness - Research Paper

Racism in Heart of Darkness

Conrad's Racism Towards the Africans

What is racism? Racism is the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. In the novel, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conard there are several debates whether the novel is a racist text or not. This novel was written in 1902 when black people still struggled with inequality, poverty, discrimination and unemployment. The novel presents racism in such a way that it can easily be identified. Conrad used offensive terminology by referring to people based on their skin colour. This use of language disturbs the reader since the words such as `niggers' and `savages' are used to ...

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constantly referrers to the natives in his novel as black savages, niggers and brutes displaying ignorance and racism towards African people. In the novel, Conrad writes, "Black figures strolled out listlessly... the beaten nigger groaned somewhere" (Conrad 28). This quote shows that the use of word `nigger' shows no respect towards the African community and their cultural heritage. The word `nigger' is very offensive due to the fact that it is used as a word to discriminate black people. Moreover, Conrad also uses several other words to downgrade the black people in the novel. Conrad writes, "And it was not dissipated by somebody on board assuring me earnestly there was a camp of natives he called them enemies! ..... hidden of sight somewhere" (Conrad 21). This quote also shows that due to the appearances of the black people, they were considered as `enemies'. The word `enemies' can be very offensive since it was judged upon due to their dark skin. Thus, racism is present in ...

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Racism in Heart of Darkness. (2014, July 18). Retrieved January 12, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Racism-in-Heart-of-Darkness/104273

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 7/18/2014 05:52:56 PM
Submitted By: kingkunj123
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 866
Pages: 4

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