Who Is Conrad's Heart Of Darkness Racist?

Whether or not Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness is strictly racist has become a serious, controversial debate. Since its events are inspired by Conrad’s experience in Africa, critics are quick to assume that any negative connotations towards Africans are based on his own racist opinions. While some critics, such as Chinua Achebe, feel that this novel was written in order to blatantly disrespect Africa and its inhabitants, others believe that Conrad’s intentions were not so cruel. Any content that undermines Africans was not to simply be arrogant, rather it was included to enhance the purpose of this story. With the repeated dehumanization of Africans by Europeans, emphasis on African-European relationships and distinction between

Surprisingly, Conrad introduces this African woman flatteringly as “she was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent” (60). In addition, he uses the Russian to provide insight on the relationship. He explains to Marlow that, “she got in one day and kicked up a row about those miserable rags I picked up in the storeroom to mend my clothes with. I wasn’t decent. At least it must have been that, for she talked like a fury to Kurtz for an hour pointing at me now and then” (Conrad 61). Not only does Conrad positively describe this African woman, he also points out that her opinion matters in the relationship. By doing so, he proves that the Africans do play a major role in the lives of some Europeans, which is certainly not racist. Conrad’s inclusion of strong African-European relationships not only demonstrates why the novel is not racist, but it also strengthens his purpose of emphasizing the damage being done by imperialism. With peoples’ lives and relationships in danger, it is clear that imperial colonization is

Throughout the story, there are clear passages where Marlow shows sympathy and admiration towards the African people because he acknowledges their level of restraint. Marlow eventually learns that one of his crewmen desires to eat a dead man, and although he is disturbed by this, he begins to understand that these men must be starving. Since the cannibals had only brought hippo meat, which they had finished quickly, Marlow wonders why they have not attacked any of the white employees on the boat. Therefore, he comes to the conclusion that, “it takes a man all his inborn strength to fight hunger properly. It’s really easier to face bereavement, dishonor and the perdition of one’s soul- than this kind of prolonged hunger. Sad, but true. And these chaps too had no earthly reason for any kind of scruple. Restraint” (Conrad 42). Marlow admits that these men have unbelievable restraint which is a positive quality to