Race And Racism In Heart Of Darkness English Literature Essay

Race And Racism In tenderness Of fantasm English Literature EssayOne of the primaeval issues that a evolve from Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness (1899) is the colonialist bias used to misrepresent the Afri locoweed race. Whilst Conrad was not him self responsible for the xenophobic occidentalised image of Africa, his story maintains the damaging stereotyping of native people. By paint them as bestialised, barbaric, primitive and uncivilised, he explores the dark race through with(predicate) the lense of a hegemonic European representation Conrads uses of myth and metaphor supported the colonial conquest of African people on the colonisers assumption that these people were racially inferior. Nevertheless, Conrad was writing at a snip when the historical representation of Africans had perpetually been a discourse of racism. Also, perhaps Conrad failed to appropriately depict Africans because he recognise little of their culture, having primarily spent time with white men during his 6 months at the African Congo. Moreover, by undermining imperial superiority and giving unhallowed references to the colonisers, nonpareil may contend he is similarly insulting towards the Europeans, and that his magnify racism seeks to ridicule Europes civilising mission, and expose the ingrained racist ideals of Victorian imperialists.Marlow, the central protagonist and narrator of Heart of Darkness, expresses old racist prejudices against the Africans They howled and leaped, and spun, and made frightening faces, but what thrilled you was the thought of their hu small-armity like yoursUgly. Not just now does he deny the Africans a distinction of a name, he as well as rids them of normal human behaviour. Marlow belittles them with derogatory talking to, stressing that they mimic animalistic behaviour and move over no methods of speech outside of cutthroat babble and crude grunts. match to Chinua Achebe, these representations call the very humanity of black p eople into question. On the subject area of communication, it is government noteworthy that a small amount of English syllables are move into the mouths of one or two Congolese Africans. It is in submitting to the hegemonic language of the coloniser that Conrad replaces native culture with his own, which he considers superior. It is this supposition of an advanced humanity which leads Achebe to trademark Conrad a through-going racist.Nonetheless, it can be argued that Marlow is a product of a more or less racist era in history a period in which racist discourses remained structured by Empire to legitimize its political political theory of suppression over the Africans. Like his contemporaries, Conrad is writing at a time where it was acceptable to view Africans as the other, and by overusing the words angry and nigger, he conforms to the racist sentiments of the day. Consequently, his story which was published in the Blackwood magazine, targets the conservative governing of the late nineteenth century. Furthermore, Conrad mentions in his authors note that his over blowup of the savage image had the purpose of bringing it home to the minds and bosoms of the reader. This admittance of a distorted characteristic account of the natives may explain his savage depiction of them. He also uses these images to make the setting realistic, accentuating the novels grave ancestors of darkness, and fear of the unknown.Being a victim of his time, Conrads portrayals of the African race also conform to the exploitationary anatomy of Charles Darwins theory of evolution. By painting Africans as the prehistoric man, and portraying Marlows voyage upriver as travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, Conrad integrates the temporal evolutionary trope in Heart of Darkness he suggests that Europeans are at a more superior position, since the Africans get under ones skin not yet emerged from prehistory. His restate animalistic images of the natives place Africans at the low end of the scale one of the creatures rose to his hands and knees and went off on all fours towards the river to drink. Linking in with Darwinism science, Conrad reduces the Africans into a subspecies between apes and Caucasians. The African here is represented as a modern ancestor, an animal, a barely human body without intelligence. Consequently, he views the Africans as prehistoric evils in desperate need of European influence and evolution an outlook which reaffirms him as the personification of colonialism. Darwins views which had become entrenched in ball club are used here by Marlow to provide the principal ideologic support for imperialism.Suggests that Europeans are at a more superior position, as opposed to the Africans since the latter has not yet emerged from prehistoryThough truthful, Marlow is a prejudiced man he is the personification of colonialism. Going into the Congo, Marlow views the natives as prehistoric evils in desperate need of white in fluence and civilization. Throughout the animal(prenominal) journey, Marlow is confronted with the natives time and time again, seeing them chained as slaves, living in a village and attacking his own steam boat. Marlow put ups fast his prejudiced view of the natives, referring to them as savages or calling them by more derogatory terms such as niggers.Through his exploration, he questions the humanity of Africans. fit in to him this deliberate stylistic obfuscation merely aided to satisfy the racial sentiments of the day, and Conrad was only acting as the purveyor of comforting myths Counter argue that he was a polish writer who had to show his mettle with the English languageHowever, in his authors note he writes how over exaggeration is used. Sombre theme given sinister resonance perhaps explains the extreme savage image. It can also be saidMuch of his animalistic language of the black race conforms to the evolutionary trope of Charles Darwin whose views became entrenched in society. African on all fours like ants.So for any(prenominal)one, who had little contact, he makes use of these derogatory stereotypes, and it can be said that he relies on these conceptualize ideas and western baggage since they dominate his descriptions. Maintains, and justifies imperialism, and although he witnesses the horror of colonialism and suppression of the Africans, it is interesting to note his approval of efficient imperialist activity. However, his constant questioning of imperialist values, and the role player of it all, reveal his anti essentialist views. slightly flatter noses. This acknowledges that the black race is more or less equal to whites, barring a few inconsequential physical attributes.Kurtz on the other hand shows no remorse whatsoever. He holds the absolute essential view to exterminate all the blacks. He holds the political orientation of making the black race extinct. Hes a ruthless ivory trader, and arranges for the light heads to displayed o n poles. The white race use crude violence, and brute force. real occasionally the natives show resistance, but their left largely helpless against the vanquish military control of the Europeans. They have no authority or voice. The colonists have become corrupted. They are blinded by the notion that this is their sacred employment to uphold the superiority of the colonial empire and white heritage.Through Marlow disapproval, he shows and exposes the Europeans, is equally deameaning, offensive, and undermines their superiority. flabby white devils.. Critiques immoral European behaviour. Transcends such prejudice, shows him to rise above racism. Ridicules benevolent project of civilisation. Uses an ambivalent tone to show the violent colonial enterprise. Kurtz the ultimate satanic, racist. Has the heart of darkness.However if he is showing Africa to be the reason for the deterioration of the European mans morale, it merely becomes a backdrop which eliminates the African as human f actor. They have become marginalised. This marginalisation shows further through Kurtz mistress. He is racist towards her, but not so to his white woman.333 just now its interesting, that Marlow does approve of efficient colonialism. Puts in a section of Brtish colonialism. It is almost with this preconceived mental capacity that Marlow almost succumbs to this same worst impulsive violent mindset (look at thinking lit answer bold). Going further into self discovery and realises his own heart of darkness. Paints Africa as the heart of darkness, suggesting that its infatuatederness and wild inhabitants drive the Europeans to insanity and violence. Takes this stance to almost show how the Dark chaste is responsible for his behaviour, thus showing it to be the cause of Kurtzs insanity. Almost blaming Africans that they hold out temptations. His racist sentiments continue throughout.However, unlike the other colonists, Marlow does show some sympathy and admiration towards the native s a viewpoint, emphasising his forward thinking mindset. Upon his very premier(prenominal) encounter, he praises there vitality, muscles and seems entirely at peace with them. Gives the dying man a biscuit, and becomes friends with helman. Has a remote kinship with them as opposed to nonentity with Europeans. Therefore it can be evaluated that he is just brainwashed by the politics of the time, but his contemplative nature, allows him to see through the cracks, and appreciate the African race. Later descriptions thus allow for readers to see the absurdity of racism. (Cedric Watts)Conclusion Although Marlow shows himself to be concerned with the heart of humankind, and the souls of individuals, the text emerged out of the very centre of racism and imperialism, therefore Marlow can be seen as merely replicating the colonial discourses gettable to him. Although he criticises the extreme brutal ness of Imperialism, he discourse is grounded in political, economic interest. He sim ply looks at Africa through a fog of distortions and cheap mystifications. It can be said that Conrad just uses Marlow to confirm and merge the wildest fantasies of the African savages to his European readers. However in my opinion his racist exaggeration and imperialist critique, are used to show how absurd racism was.http//www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=7947