Racism and Its Manifestations in "Heart of Darkness"

Introduction

Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, first hitting the shelves back in 1899, has been stirring up conversations and debates for a while now, especially when it comes to its take on race and colonialism. Set during the era of European imperialism in Africa, it tells the tale of Charles Marlow as he heads up the Congo River looking for this mysterious guy named Kurtz. As you read through it, Conrad's portrayal of African folks and settings really gets you thinking about how racist attitudes are woven into the narrative. This essay is gonna dig into some key quotes from the book that show these racial biases, giving us a chance to reflect on how they tie into the bigger theme of racism in Heart of Darkness.

Marlow's Racial Perceptions and Stereotypes

One quote that lots of folks point to when talking about racism in Heart of Darkness is Marlow's take on the African natives. Pretty early on, Marlow paints this picture: "Black shapes crouched, lay, sat between the trees leaning against the trunks, clinging to the earth, half coming out, half effaced within the dim light, in all the attitudes of pain, abandonment, and despair" (Conrad 20). It's like he's not even seeing people; they're just shapes or shadows. Kinda strips away their humanity, right? This kind of language backs up that colonial mindset that sees African people as inferior—like they're less than human—and props up those racial hierarchies European imperialism loved so much.

The "Noble Savage" Trope in the Characterization of Kurtz

There's another part where Marlow says: "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much" (Conrad 10). Now, this line does nod to how brutal colonialism was but at the same time hangs onto some old racial stereotypes by focusing on physical traits. The way he reduces rich human identities down to skin color and nose shape really echoes how racist ideas were back then.

And oh man, let's talk about Kurtz and his dealings with African locals. They're all about worshipping him like he's some kind of godly figure—Marlow describes Kurtz as having "immense plans" and "magnificent eloquence" (Conrad 50). Meanwhile, these native characters come off as irrational and easily influenced by his charm—a typical "noble savage" trope if you ask me. One part really hits this home: "They would have been even more impressive, those heads on stakes if their faces had not been turned to the house. Only one, the first I had made out, was facing my way" (Conrad 57). You got severed heads here being exoticized and dehumanized—just objects in Kurtz’s story.

Language and Imagery: Reinforcing Racial Hierarchies

The novella doesn’t shy away from using some pretty racially charged words either. Terms like "savages," "cannibals," and "brutes" get tossed around describing Africans—which pushes that idea of racial superiority. Take Marlow calling an African helmsman a "savage who was no more account than a grain of sand in a black Sahara" (Conrad 45). Ouch! That metaphor not only devalues him but keeps pushing this notion of Africa as one big monolithic blob.

Conclusion

So yeah, Heart of Darkness gives us a tangled look at race and colonialism—both intriguing yet super troubling. Through its demeaning descriptions and reliance on stereotypes paired with derogatory language—the novella mirrors those ugly racist views from its time while keeping them alive too. While some say Conrad's work critiques imperialism—that overwhelming racism can't just be brushed aside. The quotes we’ve gone over show how Heart of Darkness helps build those racial hierarchies—and adds to bigger discussions around race n' colonization today. So approaching this text critically matters—noting both its literary weight but also recognizing problem areas.

References:

• Achebe, C. (1977). An image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness.
• Hawkins Huntley M., Wichmann A., & Johnson R.L.(2011), Understanding Joseph Conrad.
• Watts Cedric T.(1977) 'A Bloody Racist': About Achebe's View On The Work Of Joseph Conrad.