An Image of Africa Essay -- Literary Analysis, Joseph Conrad

An Image of AfricaHeart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has been depicted as among the half-dozen greatest short novels in the English language. pg.1 Chinua Achebe believes otherwise. In Chinua Achebes An Image of Africa Racism is Conrads Heart of Darkness he simply states that, Joseph Conrad was a thoroughgoing racist pg.5Achebe argues that the racist observed in the Heart of Darkness is expressed due to the western psychology or as Achebe states desire, this being to show Africa as an antithesis to Europe. He first states Conrad as one of the great stylists of modern fiction. pg.1 He praises Conrads talents in writing but believes Conrads obvious racism has non been addressed. He later describes in more detail that Conrads methods amount to no more than a steady, ponderous, fake-ritualistic repetition of two antithetical sentences.Allow me to puzzle out by stating some of Achebes arguments and my critiques. Achebe first points on Conrads adjectival insistence upon inexpressible an d incomprehensible mystery. He states that many of Conrads critics simply reckon this as a stylistic flaw. Achebe believes that Conrads choose the role of purveyor of comforting myths, this being, according to Achebe, to guarantee him not to be in conflict with the psychological sensitiveness of the reader. pg.2He first moves to analyzing Conrads distinction of the two rivers in the novel, but later moved to a more important topic, the racism towards blacks in the novel. He argues that their lack of speech is viewed as dehumanized. Achebe believes that Conrad views dialect as being a downgrade. This relation to Conrads withholding of language from his rudimentary souls. pg.7 His first claim is of the dis... ...ation of primordial Africa. pg.6 Achebe states that Conrads image of Africa is not of his own, but of the Western imagination and that Conrad is simply showing the norm. Achebes main point is as much of Joseph Conrads racism but more of Western societys need for change. W e need to look beyond the stereotypical image that which the West holds to its heart.pg.8 We must look in todays society, todays 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 doesnt but blame of Conrad but on western society. The victims of racist slander who for centuries have had to live with the heinousness 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