Achebe submits to the reader that dialogue between the Africans and the civilized Europeans (such as Marlow) were some of Conrads greatest remarks on the state of the Indigenous, including the cannibals.Īchebe also states that Joseph Conrad purportedly used his character Marlow, as a vessel to convey his racism without being criticized for his supposedly racist remarks in the book. Joseph Conrad supposedly gave great detail to some Africans such as Kurt’s mistress however they also apparently suggest that even this woman is only nearly capable of being a civilized human being. Heart of Darkness supposedly also gave stereotypical remarks about the Africans which directly influenced the reader’s image of the natives. Achebe’s article alleges that Joseph Conrad also portrayed the indigenous peoples of Africa as savage and sub-human quite brazenly with open remarks that place the humanity of the Africans under question. He effectively delivers an immense amount of imagery and is able to convey thought in an allegedly crafty and tricky way, therefore influencing the readers mind on the subjects in the novella. Joseph Conrad also is purported to have deliberately influenced the reader’s emotions and perception through a combination of adjective and prose. Achebe’s article also states that Heart of Darkness allegedly makes use of the dichotomy between the river Thames and the Congo River to juxtaposition the light and dark, or civilized and savage themes of the novella. Achebe states that Heart of Darkness is responsible in part for perpetuating the barbaric Africa that even people in the 20th century have heard or read of. ?Heart of darkness portrays Africa as a dark world and perpetuates a bad and ignorant image (the western or European idea of Africa).

Achebe heart of darkness