‘Heart of darkness’ is a book by Joseph Conrad that describes Marlow’s journey through African forests as he searches for Kurtz. Kurtz is an ivory trader who has earned the admiration of the Africans, and he loves being in Africa. Kurtz is sick, and Marlow seeks to take him back home in England. There are several themes evident in the reading, but this paper will focus on discussing the topic of racism.
Firstly, the theme of racism is evident in the text and critics such as Chinua Achebe have accused Conrad of being a racist. Well, to some extent the claims are valid because in some instances throughout the narration, racism is evident. For example, Conrad severally uses the word “cannibal” to describe Africans. Also, Conrad in his book claims that Africa was the opposite of Europe and that Africa was a place where intelligence and refinement were mocked by bestiality (Conrad, 251). In another case, Conrad claims that black figures moved aimlessly and a beaten nigger moaned somewhere, (Conrad, 28). Another statement that portrays racism is when Conrad argues that the natives passed without looking at him and they had deathlike looks of savages (Conrad, 19). Marlow feels dislike and looks down upon the Africans even from his sentiments. It is clear he feels his race is more superior as compared to that of black people.