The following essay will deal with the question whether or not Joseph Conrad’s Heart of
Darkness is a racist text.
This question comes up because this novel was written during the age of Victoria, a time of
imperialism and colonialism where the term “race” changed its meaning and became a
monolithic factor.
The term ‘race’ was first used in English literature as denoting a class of people, even
a family. In eighteen-century usage it was possible to speak of a race of animals or
birds. By the nineteenth century this imprecision was fully recognized, and it was
suggested that the term was purely subjective, and illuminated the ‘opinion of the
investigator rather than … the object of investigation.’ (1Bolt: 1971, ix).
So from then on, racism, which can be defined as “ the belief that races have distinctive cultural
characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with
an intrinsic superiority over others” (2Wehmeier:2000,1042) was often included or propagated
in literary works.
As Conrad was a member of the Victorian society it is interesting for today’s readers to
examine if he also shared this belief. Furthermore, it has recently (i.e. within the last twentyfive
years) been a frequently-discussed topic, because Chinua Achebe, the famous Nigerian
author, arose this question.
So, first of all, his accusations will be looked at more clearly, in the following, it is to be
regarded if these are actually true, and finally, one will see, if a final estimation is possible.
1 Christine Bolt, Victorian Attitudes to Race (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1971) ix.
2 Sally Wehmeier (ed.) Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English,6th ed. (Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2000) 1042.
Table of Contents
- 0. Introduction
- I. Africa as the "Antithesis of Europe"
- I.1 Conrad's Personal View Reflected in His Narration
- I.2 The Black's Role in the Novel as a Further Proof for Conrad's Racism
- I.3 Becoming Insane = Going Native
- II. Profound Proofs of Conrad's Innocence
- II.1 Critique of Imperialism: A Subversion of the Dichotomies
- II.2 Marlow is not Conrad
- II.3 The Content of the Novel: A Journey Through the Congo
- II.4 A Victorian Novel Vs. A Modern “Reverse Missionary” Novel
- III. Conclusion
- IV. Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines whether Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a racist text. It investigates this question by analyzing Conrad's portrayal of Africa and its people within the context of Victorian imperialism and prevalent racial biases. The essay explores whether Conrad's descriptions and narrative choices perpetuate racist stereotypes or offer a more nuanced critique of colonialism.
- Conrad's portrayal of Africa as the "antithesis of Europe" and the implications of this binary opposition.
- The role and representation of African characters in the novel and their treatment by Conrad.
- The examination of whether Conrad's personal views and experiences influenced his depiction of Africa and its inhabitants.
- Analysis of whether the novel offers a critique of imperialism, despite its problematic representations.
- The interpretation of "going native" as a representation of evil and its connection to racist ideologies.
Chapter Summaries
0. Introduction: This introductory chapter lays out the central question of the essay: Is Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness a racist text? It establishes the historical context of the novel's creation, highlighting the prevalent racist ideologies of Victorian society and the evolving understanding of the term "race." The introduction also mentions Chinua Achebe's critique of the novel's alleged racism, framing the essay's subsequent analysis within this ongoing debate. The chapter sets the stage for a critical examination of Conrad's work, acknowledging the complexities and nuances inherent in assessing a literary text produced within a specific historical and social context.
I. Africa as the "Antithesis of Europe": This chapter delves into the binary opposition presented in Heart of Darkness between Europe and Africa. It examines how Conrad's portrayal of Africa reinforces the dominant Western image of the continent as the "antithesis" of European civilization, characterized by savagery, darkness, and the unknown. The chapter explores how this depiction contributes to the arguments surrounding the novel's alleged racism, particularly in its presentation of African characters as fundamentally different from Europeans, lacking reason, civility and morality. It sets the groundwork for investigating whether this portrayal functions as a straightforward expression of racist ideology or serves a more complex literary purpose.
II. Profound Proofs of Conrad's Innocence: This chapter explores arguments that counter the accusations of racism leveled against Conrad. It suggests that Heart of Darkness might offer a critique of imperialism, not a celebration of it, by subtly undermining the very dichotomies it appears to uphold. The chapter examines the character of Marlow, suggesting that he is not a simple mouthpiece for Conrad's views, and that the narrative itself exposes the flaws and contradictions inherent in the imperialist project. It further suggests that the novel's exploration of the Congo, rather than reinforcing stereotypes, serves to highlight the destructive nature of colonial expansion. The chapter also explores how Heart of Darkness can be seen not as a traditional Victorian novel but as a subversive work, anticipating certain themes in modern literature.
Keywords
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad, racism, colonialism, imperialism, Victorian era, Africa, representation, binary opposition, critique, “going native”, Chinua Achebe.
Heart of Darkness: A Critical Analysis - FAQ
What is the main focus of this essay?
This essay critically examines whether Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a racist text. It investigates this by analyzing Conrad's portrayal of Africa and its people within the context of Victorian imperialism and prevailing racial biases. The analysis explores whether Conrad's descriptions and narrative choices perpetuate racist stereotypes or offer a nuanced critique of colonialism.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores several key themes: Conrad's portrayal of Africa as the "antithesis of Europe"; the role and representation of African characters; the influence of Conrad's personal views on his depiction of Africa; whether the novel offers a critique of imperialism despite problematic representations; and the interpretation of "going native" and its connection to racist ideologies.
How is the essay structured?
The essay is structured into several chapters: an introduction establishing the central question and historical context; a chapter analyzing Africa's portrayal as the antithesis of Europe; a chapter presenting counterarguments to accusations of racism; and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the arguments presented in the chapter "Africa as the 'Antithesis of Europe' "?
This chapter examines the binary opposition between Europe and Africa in Heart of Darkness. It analyzes how Conrad's portrayal of Africa reinforces the Western image of the continent as the opposite of European civilization, characterized by savagery and the unknown. The chapter explores how this contributes to arguments about the novel's alleged racism, particularly in its presentation of African characters.
What are the counterarguments to accusations of racism against Conrad presented in the essay?
The chapter "Profound Proofs of Conrad's Innocence" presents counterarguments suggesting Heart of Darkness might offer a critique of imperialism, not a celebration. It argues that Marlow isn't a mouthpiece for Conrad's views and that the narrative exposes flaws in the imperialist project. It also suggests the novel's exploration of the Congo highlights the destructive nature of colonial expansion and interprets the work as a subversive, even modern, novel.
What is the significance of "going native" in the context of the essay?
The essay examines the concept of "going native" as a representation of evil and its potential connection to racist ideologies within the context of Conrad's narrative and the prevailing racial biases of the Victorian era.
What is the role of Chinua Achebe's critique in this essay?
Chinua Achebe's critique of the novel's alleged racism is mentioned in the introduction, framing the essay's analysis within the ongoing debate surrounding Heart of Darkness and its interpretation.
What are the key words associated with the essay's themes?
Key words include: Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad, racism, colonialism, imperialism, Victorian era, Africa, representation, binary opposition, critique, “going native”, and Chinua Achebe.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay (without giving away specifics)?
The essay aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the accusations of racism leveled against Conrad's *Heart of Darkness*, weighing both the seemingly problematic aspects of the novel against arguments suggesting a more complex and potentially subversive intent.
- Quote paper
- Christina König (Author), 2003, Heart of Darkness: A Racist Text?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/18581
