My Own Image of Africa

• Africa as a foil to Europe.
• Article is Achebe's response to Conrad's novel, which he believes exemplifies this idea.
• Believes if Africa is the antithesis to Europe it it the antithesis to civilization.
• Achebe resents that Heart of Darkness is considered a "permanent novel."
• Considers Conrad's writing style "unerhanded activity" and full of "trickery."
• Achebe sites many passages from the novel to support his point of view.
• I interpreted all passages Achebe sites differently than he did. What do you think?
• Comparison of African woman and English woman
• I believe Conrad, through Marlow, was being truthful about what he saw. Not saying that it was correct or moral. Turn perspectives around interpretations may be similar.
• Achebe and my own differences in perspective also may be affecting our interpretations.
• Marlow tossing out "bleeding-heart sentiments."
• Accusing Conrad of not promoting an equality in his novel. p. 343.
• Analyses responses of students
• Do not know what to think of Conrad's preoccupation with the word "black." p. 345.
• Native's attack on Marlow and crew
• p. 348. Achebe claims that Conrad makes Africa a place to be avoided. Why does Marlow go there?
• p. 349. Comment on language.
• I do not believe by any means that Conrad's book is not racist, and does not looking poorly on African people. If this novel were written in our time period I would comdemn Conrad myself.