Examines representation of race within " Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad.

Question :Joseph Conrad's representation of race in Heart of Darkness, may be read as racist. Write an assignment on Conrad?s representation of indigenous Africans from your reading of the novella.

By: Ainsley Brett

The issue of race within modern and classic literature has always been and will continue to be a contentious issue of discussion prevalent throughout society and especially educational facilities. Within Joseph Conrad's classic novella Heart of Darkness the representation of indigenous Africans their society and culture can be construed as deplorably racist, yet can also be seen as a portrayal of european values of the era and an attack on colonisation, for example the International Association for the Exploration and Civilising of Africa becoming the ?International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs. In Chinua Achebe?s lecture ?An Image of Africa? at The University of Massachusetts he argues that Heart of Darkness is;

?a book which parades on the most vulgar fashion prejudices and insults from which a section of mankind has suffered untold agonies and atrocities in the past and continues to do so in many ways and many places today.

Satellite image of Africa, showing the ecological ...

English: Chinua Achebe speaking at Asbury Hall, Bu...

English: Market scene in Ibadan

I am talking about a story in which the very humanity of black people is called in question. It seems to me totally inconceivable that great art or even good art could possibly reside in such unwholesome surroundings.?

The way that the text is imparted to the reader shows a definite sense of european superiority in regard to Africans, their culture and its ethics and ideals - ?a place of unspeakable riches? that was waiting for ?an enterprising capitalist? to ?take the matter in hand?. But it is quite obvious that the displayed superiority of european society is beneficial to the book.

The choice of narrative point of view determines the viewpoint from...