themselves. What is more interesting is that Achebe seemed to believe that in the novella Africans are just as onlookers on their own continent and that they are attributed speech only in two occurrences. He reports that the first one is when “cannibalism gets the better of them” (6) and the Nigerian writer supported his claim by quoting a passage in which the Africans are described as barbaric, eating human flesh. Indeed, Marlow recounts his discussion with the headman who explains to him that the hungry natives were preparing to attack savages in order to eat them “Catch 'im" he snapped with a bloodshot widening of his eyes and a flash of sharp teeth—"catch 'im. Give 'im to us." " To you, eh?" I asked; "what would you do with them?" "Eat
For this reason, he asserts that if some think that the book is racist, it is because they ignore the time period in which it was written. Thus, he stresses the importance of contextualizing and historicizing Heart of Darkness as he asks in his article “are we, as Achebe suggests, to ignore the period in which novels are written” (line 194). In fact, the book was written in 1884, just after the Scramble for Africa at a time period when European countries saw the continent as a delicious cake and they were competing to have as many slices as possible to become richer and more powerful (Phillips, line 139). Thus, Blinded as they were by their greed for wealth and ivory, the Europeans showed no mercy as they shamelessly exploited the continent for their own benefit. Such cupidity, according to Phillips, is denounced in Heart of Darkness, notably through the Eldorado Exploring Expedition as this following passage
Indeed, even the most sophisticated and powerful man on earth is more likely to become lost and to degenerate when being outside of a moral conduct society. Indeed, he ends up in liberating himself from all moral codes and ethics as he surrenders to his primitive nature. In other words; a man is impotent and dependent of everything that surrounds him. Hence, colonialism harms also the colonizers in Heart of Darkness since they are strained to leave the environment to which they belong and to be in close contact with the “savages”. Thus, there is always a risk to succumb to the pandemonium and to become as one of them, while trying to control and to judge them. This is demonstrated by the tragic end of Kurtz, who is considered as the epitome of European values as Marlow remarks that “all Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz" (Conrad 69). Indeed, from the debut, he is presented as the star agent of the company, as a remarkable man as Marlow recounts Kurtz’ intended reaction to the announcement of her fiancé’s death, ignoring the terrible truth about him as she declares “of all his promise, and of all his greatness, of his generous mind, of his noble heart, nothing remains—nothing but a memory (Conrad 108). However, through Marlow’s experience, we learn that Kurtz "soul [is] mad" (Conrad 94). To explain; he is the prey of his uncontrollable reactions and he is obsessed with
... himself. It seems that Achebe was closed-minded in his essay regarding racism. He did not propose any other possibilities regarding the novel, only to say that a conceivable reason for this is that "it is the desire in Western psychology to set African up as a foil to Europe" (Achebe, p.251). Achebe only set forth his views and did not take into account other interpretations of the same passage, as did Saravan.
A grotesque body is one that is open, sickly, comprised of many parts, and overflows in excess. In Montaigne’s Of the Caniballes, Europeans view figures of cannibalism as the Native inhabitants of the New World. The consumption of humans involves opening up the contained body, allowing its inner parts to be abjected beyond its internal boundaries. For colonizers, participants of cannibalism are barbarians who eat their victims by transforming their classical bodies into grotesque forms. As a result, these cultural practices make them inferior and savage compared to the modern Europeans. However, in reality, Europeans are also closely related to cannibalistic practices. A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies written by Las Casas show how Spaniards are barbaric in their character. They lack control and engage in a series of horrific excesses due to their insatiable hunger for power and
Only on two occasions are the natives given language and expression by the author. Firstly, when cannibalism is seen to overcome them, and one of then when asked what they will do with the body of one of the dead crew, replies "Eat 'im". The second occasion is when the enigmatic figure of Kurtz...
In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Kurtz and the Council demonstrates natural human needs in order to survive and achieve personal desires. His dissolution and corruption take place as he travels deep within the Congo. His behaviour that lacks moral ethics is accepted by everyone in the Congo due to the severity of the area. Kurtz’ imperialistic actions of obsession with power and wealth, and his view of colonialism lead to his ultimate dissolution. He believes that his way of darkness is good, although it is the sole reason to his corruption.
In Joseph Conrad’s short story “The Heart of Darkness” we see many comments and terms that directly relate to people of color and women. We see that Marlow doesn’t believe that women are equal to him, and how Europeans viewed colored people differently at the time. I wouldn’t say that story was racist or anti feministic due to the time period that it came out in. Viewing it today I can see why people view the story as being racist. As for being anti feministic there are only a few comment that really stood out to me. At times Conrad makes points in which he views
Kurtz was not always the power hungry man portrayed in Conrad’s book. According to his Intended, Kurtz was an admired man who had a “generous heart” and a “noble mind” (Conrad, 70). However, after his expedition into Africa, he became a changed man; an “insoluble problem” (Conrad, 50). The new Kurtz “[kicks] the very earth to pieces” (Conrad, 61). “Let us say – nerves, [go] wrong, and [causes] him to preside at certain midnight dances ending with unspeakable rites” (Conrad, 45). He has dropped all sense and morality and continues to live on according to his various lusts.
In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he discusses the principles of virtue, choices and a desire for an end. In the 5th chapter of book 3, Aristotle gives a possible argument of someone who objects to his beliefs “But someone might argue as follows: ‘All Men seek what appears good to them, but they have no control over how things appear to them; the end appears different to different men” (1114b). Based on the objector’s generalization, he or she believes that all men strive to find the ultimate good, but they don't have the freedom or the wisdom to see things for what they truly are.
...o, while the novella’s archetypal structure glorifies Marlow’s domination of Kurtz. These two analyses taken together provide a much fuller and more comprehensive interpretation of the work. Conrad presents the idea that there is some darkness within each person. The darkness is is inherited and instinctual, but because it is natural does not make it right. He celebrates – and thereby almost advises – the turn from instinct. By telling Marlow’s tale, Joseph Conrad stresses to his audience the importance of self-knowledge and the unnecessity of instinct in civilization.
Kurtz was the chief of the Inner Station, where he was in charge of a very important ivory-trading post. Marlow learns that because of Kurtz’s ability to obtain more ivory than anybody else, he is of “greatest importance to the Company” and is to become a “somebody in the Administration” (Conrad 143). However, a critical aspect is the way in which he went about his business, as it was ruthless and selfish, characteristics that go hand-in-hand with European colonization.
Achebe’s main point is as much of Joseph Conrad’s racism but more of Western society’s need for change. We need to look beyond the stereotypical image that which the West holds “to its heart.”[pg.8] We must look in today’s society, today’s media and books read in schools. We must realize that “offering bribes to the West in return for its good opinion of Africa” [pg.9] is preposterous. He sees now as the time for change. He doesn’t but blame of Conrad but on western society. “The victims of racist slander who for centuries have had to live with the inhumanity it makes them heir to have always known better than any casual visitor even when he comes loaded with the gifts of a Conrad.”[pg.9]
Well, you know, that was the worst of it—this suspicion of their not being inhuman. It would come slowly to one. They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces; but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity" (pt.II, p.58). Another example is when Conrad says "It was very curious to see the contrast of expressions of the white men and of the black fellows of our crew" (pt.II, p.65). One more example is when Conrad describes an African woman, he says " She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent" (pt.III, p.101). Conrad also mocks the African people 's language, he says "they shouted periodically together strings of amazing words that resembled no sounds of human language; and the deep murmurs of the crowd, interrupted suddenly, were like the responses of some satanic litany" (pt.III, p112). Conrad refers to the Africans as "savage," "black," and "inhumane," and he is referring to Africa as "unearthly," which is an unpleasant way of describing a country and its people, at least for an African reader as Achebe. Conrad also refers to the African language as "satanic litany." These
As Marlow, the main character of the novel, comes across Africans along his journey, his racism shows through his reflections on what he observes. When Conrad refers to Africans through his characters, it seems as if he views them as animals. “Mostly black and nake...
Chinua Achebe states in his essay, “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness”, that, “Africa is to Europe as the picture is to Dorian Gray--a carrier onto whom the master unloads his physical and moral deformities so that he may go forward, erect and immaculate. Consequently Africa is something to be avoided just as the picture has to be hidden away to safeguard the man’s jeopardous integrity” (Achebe, p. 259-260). Achebe is essentially arguing that Conrad’s portrayal of civilization uses Africa as a scapegoat so that it can hide the hypocrisy of European imperialism. It is not Africa that is responsible for their madness, but it is their own delusion. Additionally, this doubles as a driving force in regards to the creation of Things Fall Apart where Achebe contrasts this theme through the explanation of the Igbo tribe’s structure and order that was in place before the arrival of the
The whites in this novella ignore torture and disregard the Africans. Throughout most of Marlow's voyage there was this ignorance present even upon his ship. The ship contained pilgrims and Natives alike, these were ideal to running the steam boat and the Natives aboard were mistreated greatly. ...
By the time Marlow and Kurtz meet, Marlow is already well aware of the similarities they share. Both are imperialists, and while Marlow detests the treatment of the natives by his employers (Belgian colonists), he also makes apparent his abhorrence toward the Africans. On the other hand, Kurtz abandons the pretense of helping the natives achieve civilization, as displayed by the Europeans. Instead, he adopts their customs and becomes their leader in the never-ending quest for ivory. "He began with the argument that we whites, from the point of development we had arrived at, 'must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of the supernatural beings- we approach them with the might as of a deity' (Longman, 2000, p. 2226). Marlow also admired Kurtz' resourcefulness and survival skills, especially his perseverence through jungle fever. "The wilderness had patted him on the head....it had taken him, loved him, embraced him, got into his veins, consumed his flesh, and sealed his soul to its own by the inconceivable ceremonies of some devilish initiation. He was its spoiled and pampered favorite." (Longman, 2000, p. 2225).