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Criticism of Racism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Introduction Criticism on Novel Marlow's role Description Kurtz' Portrayal Criticism on Racism in Heart of Darkness Conclusion 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 novel 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 colonization. This paper examines and Conrad's novel from the perspective of racial issues and discusses how it can be interpreted. "We have to be very chary about pontificating on the "totality of meaning" of "Heart of Darkness, " wrote Harold Collins, who supposes when reading the book one should not come to simple conclusions. (104) Many researchers such as Ian Watt wonder that Joseph Conrad was a racist, writing, .".. using the word "cannibal" to describe natives of Africa, displayed racial prose... " (Watt 83) China Achebe writes, "Heart of Darkness projects the image of Africa as "the other world, " the antithesis of Europe and therefore of civilization, a place where man's vaunted intelligence and refinement are finally mocked by triumphant beastiality. " (251) Conrad considered Africa as another world, and China's statement is supported by, "We are told that "Going up that river was like traveling back to the earliest beginnings of the world. " (251). China continues writing how racism flows through the book. The first appearance of racism occurs with Marlow's employment with the company.
Marlow's employment begins with his interview in a racist environment in a racist city, which Joseph Conrad equates to a "white sepulcher. " (73) "Marlow's presentment of incident, setting the image as a white forecast... " F. R. Leavis description of how white Marlow perceived the city. (198) The medical exam consisted only of measurement of the cranium in the "interest of science; " the doctor was of the belief that associating and commingling with the natives would only diminish intellectual capacity of the white people. The doctor was very eager to prove his theory and leave his legacy with his colleagues. Marlow was uncomfortable with the doctor, asking him, .".. Are you an alienist?" The doctor replied, "'Every doctor should be -- a little. '" (76) Readers believe that Conrad was being racist against Doctors, an "Anti-Doctor. " Marlow's employment was "a piece of good fortune" for the company.
During the time, people like Marlow were considered "something like an emissary of light, something like a lower sort of apostle. " (Guerard 103) However Marlow's aunt was of an opinion that the company should be .".. weaned of its millions for its horrid ways. " (77) Marlow, though a man of action, was a little bit hesitant to depart and go on his journey into the center of Africa. C. P. Sarah believes that Marlow was more hesitant to leave to Africa, not because of the company and their ways, but more scared of the stories that his Aunt told him of the natives. "The aunt was one to scar Marlow from the cannibals by her myths and disbelief's. " (Sarvans 45) Upon Marlow's arrival in Africa he was shocked at the treatment of the natives by the white traders. The whites paraded the natives in chains and leg irons, considering them enemies and criminals.
Conrad's description of the natives' physical appearance and poor clothing of loin clothes and head rags, giving an impression that the natives were being racially attacked; further writing that Marlow, being white, was a part of .".. the great cause of these high and just proceedings... " (Conrad 78) Marlow considered natives as men, while considering whites as greedy and violent, also noticing the amount of work being done by the natives was never ending. Marlow's first casual mention of the cannibal crewmen associates them with the work motive, a prominent motive intimately connected with the testing of Kurtz. Marlow heard of Kurtz from the pilgrims, who described Kurtz as the best agent of the company, because he produced the most ivory.
The stories about Kurtz were that he committed atrocities towards the natives. Kurtz' portrayal as a racist is substantiated by his fetish of staking the heads of the natives around his house, reflecting on Conrad's personal beliefs of racism as analyzed by some scholars. Further reading of the story shows that the natives attacked Marlow's ship to prevent the pilgrims from rescuing Kurtz from their midst, although the natives were urged by their ruling Queen to let the ship depart. The natives were shown as intelligent, less mob-like; meanwhile the pilgrims are revealed as an "imbecile crowd" who let loose their weapons. Joseph Conrad's conclusion of the story and the end of Kurtz sheds a light on the cruel and evil ways of his mysterious character, realizing the horror of his actions. Even when Kurtz dies, Joseph Conrad uses an ignorant way to portray the way it's announced, "As for the announcement of Mr.
Kurtz's death by the "insolent black head in the doorway" what better or more appropriate finis could be written to the horror story of that wayward child of civilization who willfully had given his soul to the powers of darkness and "taken a high seat amongst the devils of the land... " (Achebe 261). Historically and culturally, minds have been corrupted by racism. For centuries, and even now, people associate the exploited people to be inferior in intelligence, and the invaders as superior. The seeds of racism have been sown with humanity from the beginning of time.
Conquerors have always felt superior to the vanquished, which is perhaps why invaders have looted and had their way with the natives. ""Isms" -- sexism, ageism, anti-Semitism, racism, and so forth -- represent one of the most destructive aspects of human social behavior. " (Waller 272). In the Heart of Darkness, the choice of words and the typical situations of invaders or ivory traders' exploitation and the incidental atrocities on the natives set the tone for racism. Readers of the book are appalled by the typification of the natives and start to believe that Joseph Conrad must be a racist to extol the white pilgrims and their superior cities with their well educated names that live in pristine buildings and the levels of science that is shared by medical people by legacy. The natives are portrayed as not trainable or at the most trainable only at a minimal level, to do menial tasks only. The trackers are shown to be in control of multiple natives at a minimal effort. Scholars and critics of the book see a complex plot that pokes fun of the white traders, by their inefficiency and lack of work ethics, the natives are observed by Marlow, the main character, as people ."..
one can work with... " Achebe accuses Conrad of racism as the essential "heart of darkness, " and clearly sees Heart of Darkness as a racist text, one "which parades in 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. [He is] talking about a story in which the very humanity of black people is called into question" (15) From all these characterization the portrayal of Joseph Conrad falls somewhere between a contemporary white writer, who wrote in the style of his times but at the same time tried to ridicule the then prevalent customs. The controversial story will have readers on both sides of the fence; some will be "vociferous" in their beliefs that the story reeks of racism as the main character Kurtz is abusive to the natives, while some will continue to feel that Marlow the protagonist is opposed to racism and easily identifies himself with the natives. One major part in the book which many scholars bring up .".. the thought of their humanity-like yours... Ugly" (Conrad 95).
But few believe that Conrad was not comparing blacks, but rather a dog which was in the room. Conrad's racism or lack of it will always be judged by his characters and the readers. In summary, the darkness of the land, of colonialism, and of Kurtz's soul combine to form an important message: Despite the grandeur of civilization, evil and inhumanity rest surely beneath its surface. Even with all the illusions present within civilization, humankind must at least acknowledge its inner darkness, so as to stay away from it.
Perhaps Kurtz realizes his own darkness when it is too late, evident by his dying words, "The horror! The horror!" Black and white imagery is common throughout many works of literature. White is usually related to purity and cleanliness, while black is seen to be dirty and dark in nature. In his novel Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad reverses the age-old images of black and white to add descriptive as well as deeper spiritual meaning to his novel.
Through these images readers are taken on a journey of the soul where we must all look inward in ourselves and question our own morals. Sometimes we may not like what we find. Work Cited Achebe, China Hopes and Impediments, Selected Essays. "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness. " New York: Doubleday, 1989, pp. 1 - 20. Achebe, China. "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'" Massachusetts Review. 18. 1977. Rpt.
In Heart of Darkness, An Authoritative Text, background and Sources Criticism. 1961. 3 rd ed Ed. Robert Kimbrough, London: W. W Norton and Co. , 1988, pp. 251 - 261 Bradley, Matthew A. "Conrad and Racism. " University of Texas at Austin. Dec. 1995. < web > Collins, Harold R. Twentieth - Century Literary Criticism Vol. 13, 1954. pp. 104 Conrad, Joseph.
Heart of Darkness and the Secret Sharer with Joyce Carol Oates. New York: Signet Classic, 1997 Guerard, Albert J. Twentieth - Century Literary Criticism Vol. 13, 1950. pp. 103 Waller, James.
Face to Face: The Changing State of Racism Across America University of Massachusetts Press Due/Published September 2002, pp. 272 Watt, Ian. "Heart of Darkness and Nineteenth Century Thought. " Joseph's Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea, 1987. 77 - 89.
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Research essay sample on Criticism Of Racism In Joseph Conrad Heart Darkness
