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Achebe's Argument against Conrad in "An Image of Africa" and "Thing Fall Apart"

Introduction

Chinua Achebe is a Nigerian writer who was raised in the Igbo town of Ogidi. He has written many novels, short stories, essays and poetry which represent the culture and tradition of the Igbo society and values of his homeland Africa. His stories and writings contain element of his patriotism and shows direct attack and criticism on the political and cultural matters. He has also written various folk stories and children books which also reflect his effort to transfer his cultural values and traditions to the next generation. His dedication towards his country is clearly reflected in his first novel “Things Fell Apart”. This is the most recommended English novel read all over Africa. In this novel he presents the story of a protagonist Okonkwo and his struggles in the context of historical and political crisis of late nineteenth century and the conditions of racial discrimination (Achebe, 1996). He also showed resentment for the society which changes its culture and social beliefs. This was the beginning of his views and expression of ideas about the African society which were always presented in his stories and novels.

As a critic and essayist he also reflects his thoughts in a straight forward manner, but after reading the short novel, 'Heart of Darkness” written by Joseph Conrad, his criticism to this novel was very open and negative. Heart of darkness is written in a first person narrative and reflects the story of a sailor Marlow who experienced the worst journey to the interior Africa. He expressed the African people as the brutal and violent. This story reveals Marlow's experience in saving a man named Kurtz, who was imprisoned by those Africans and accepted as God. Later, Kurtz was horrified and mad due to the inhuman treatment of those Africans and finally he died (Conrad, 2009).

This negative image of Africans pictured by the Conrad was unbearable for Achebe. He was already against the negative propaganda against Blacks and this social and racial discrimination that was created by these white people. Achebe replied to this negative approach towards Africans and tried to rectify the negative image of Africa created by Conrad.

Thesis Statement

Achebe's Argument against Conrad in "An Image of Africa" and "Thing Fall Apart" reveals the racial and cultural discrimination, and proves the social and political superiority of Europe over Africa in 'Heart of Darkness'.

Discussion

Identification

Conrad's Heart of Darkness was consider as a story that superficially reflects the weakness of a human and his lack of moral values when he was imprisoned by the African culture who made him God and then with this superiority and rule over those savage African he himself became a savage and did worst deeds and then died in repentance and fear. It was Achebe who first seen this as a clear bias and negative image of the Africa and African people. In his published lecture “An Image of Africa” he criticized ...