As a response to Heart of
Darkness, Things Fall Apart shows an aggressive approach because Heart
of Darkness shows emptiness to the African culture and the British exploit
the country like they completely own it. Yes, at this time period The British
were on a big run with imperialism, but they didn’t own everything. The reason
there are natives present is because it is still their land, so Chinua Achebe
takes an offense to the “racist” side of things since his people are being
mistreated and misrepresented. The most people usually see out of Heart of
Darkness would be the imperialism, insanity, journey, and psychological
sides of things. Chinua Achebe broadens our view to the perspective of natives
and the in depth, humanistic culture behind the people. Heart of Darkness
shows how mean and sly the British are through how highly dressed they are
compared to the shambles the Africans wear, the fact that most of the white
folk aren’t traveling through the Congo with Marlow, the constant lies that are
spread about one another, and the false pretenses the British give off when
they are really aiming for profit, ivory, and the riddance of Kurtz.
To prove the British’s
maltreatment towards the Congo natives (natives in general), we can see that
the British are ruthlessly treating the natives like slaves. Pointing a rifle
while natives are chained up to one another, taking them away from their culture,
barely feeding them, and working them until they die are direct examples of how
the British mistreat the natives. Since the British were on an imperialism
streak, their attitudes were shown off as superior and bossy. The frilly, white
clothes the characters wear and the weird feeling Marlow get from the
characters prove it. Now along the journey throughout the Congo, people are
seen as a burden unless they work and keep going along in the journey. When
dead or ill to the point of death, you are left behind or thrown off board. This
type of treatment towards people isn’t even a “white man’s burden” type of
action. It is an abuse of the human race far from imperialism. Civilizing the
natives didn’t even look like an option so racism seemed like an intention or
the present feel.
Achebe opened the perspective
of the natives by showing how much life, culture, and meaning these natives had
in their lives before the British walked in and destroyed everything! For
example, the main village, Umofia, is a power village where the people are
always working hard to survive, following traditions by supporting family and
attending festivals, and participating in village activities and jobs. This
village had so many beliefs and traditions that made them just as an important
as any other colony. They firmly believe in their land, and that belief is
shattered when the British try to change the natives and hurt the lifestyle
that was once there. Umofia had the rankings of men in their village to take
care and represent their village, oracles to give view to the future and rule,
New Yam Festival to give fortune for plentiful harvests, joy, and family, big
families (various wives and lots of kids) to work and support the family, and
so much more.
Everyone has their own way of
approaching life. Each place has its own traditions but those traditions are
what make a land so important and give uniqueness to the people. Imperialism
destroys the balance and changes people and traditions. In result, traditions
get lost in the process and it is such a shame losing all of that over time.
Think about it, if you were to lose out on your culture because someone
conquered your land hundreds of years ago and mistreated your people, wouldn’t
you have felt extremely offended and hurt? Heart of Darkness shows us
how insane and crazy all these people are and that the natives seemed to be collateral
damage but useful collateral damage until they die off when the British receive
their ivory. When I read Heart of Darkness, I see insanity, craziness, a
dark society, and ruthless imperialism. Since it is my opinion, it does differ.
I do not favor further imperialism and have a dark society take part in
imperialism makes the situation even worse. Also, I read Things Fall Apart
before Heart of Darkness, so my opinion was set before I read Heart of
Darkness. Sorry, but I think of the people! J
I think first that you are mixing up imperialism with colonialism. From a political science point of view, Imperialism really has no direct connection to racism, at its core its about empires. Empire building at its core in the words of Athenians "The strong will do what they can, the weak will do as they must." Further it is important to note that empires have been shown to actually increase stability internationally. Additionally Imperialism doesn't necessarily destroy others culture, if you look at the Roman Empire we see that they actually didn't meddle in the affairs of those they ruled. As long as the Romans got tribute and there were no rebellions everyone was happy - just to point out that what you're attacking is the big brother colonialism, not imperialism. More on the point, I have to disagree with you, this is a part of history and is a fact. Also Conrad probably wrote it for people during his time and we have to understand that to a European mind that's how the natives would have looked. I am not justifying colonial behavior, that was unjustifiable. Racism would be undermining a race of people for the ends of keeping them in an inferior place, Conrad, for me, is trying to appeal to our humanity in showing the inhuman way these people are treated.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason I took the type to write that hunk of stuff is because I thought you brought up some good, salient points. Good job ^^
ReplyDeleteOkay, I guess you can take out racism, but they are treated in an inhumane manner and with that kind of treatment, it undermines their tradition and the stability that was already created for the villages, people, or natives there. I probably did mix up colonialism and imperialism, but basically what I'm trying to say is that the more land countries conquer, the more they spread their way of life and suppress other culture from remaining intact today. Yes, there are lots of pros about stability bigger/power countries can offer, but some countries are doing well off on their own and their culture and tradition flourishes to the future. Imagine if your home country was taken over in the past from a power country, and your whole culture was altered, you wouldn't be who you are today correct? For the time frame, anyone can debate the pros, cons, conquering land, views on tradition, economy, and any of that jazz. I'm just saying there's a lot more to the natives and their side isn't shown well enough for people to understand that Heart of Darkness is somewhat offending which is why Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart in the first place. Thanks for the good job & tips though :)
ReplyDeleteWhat the British did do to Africans and others was detrimental. Its exactly like what American's did to the Native Americans. They called them savages at first because they did not speak their language, they did not live like them, and they had different beliefs (that the colonists were too blind to see). The North American Indians had rich societies, lives, and religions, but because of European settler's narrow-mindedness a lot of that was destroyed. And going back to Africa, I agree with your overarching argument, the British were wrong in their view of the Africans. I took a indigenous arts class a few years back and we focused a lot on areas and groups were their culture was wiped out do to colonialism. It is sad- and real.
ReplyDeleteThank you for seeing my point! But yes, I agree. It is really sad how culture, tradition, and people diminish because of colonialism.
DeleteNo, I do not see it. Man does because he can, he is narrow-minded in the fact that he doesn't look before he leaps, but when it comes down to it, we do because we can. There's a reason I despise blaming colonialism, imperialism and especially racism because it makes it seem like something of the past. As Morgan said, it is real and it is happening now under our noses. It never left, it only hid. I do not see it as sad, it is frustrating; sadness does not promote action.
ReplyDeleteIt is not colonialism, economics may be the closest word to what I am trying to say.
Further, I think you're missing the point of Heart of Darkness, it isn't a story about a guy going down a river to see another guy and along the way they dehumanize natives, its about you, me, us. Sure, we should get emotional about the Africans, and that is the point, Achebe is degrading Conrad's message. When reading the novel couldn't you hear it, the question: How human are you? I respect Kurtz because at the end he was human enough to admit to himself: "the horror, the horror" that he let go on in his life. Can you?
Many countries that think of themselves as a "better race" undergo this kid of colonialism. They basically bully the country they are trying to control to the point where the majority of the people cannot and will not rebel. It is not really racism just a country trying to ensure its ruing over a smaller country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your connection with Things Fall Apart. The two books are very similar portraying the white man but the stories overall do not have much similarities.
^It may not be racism but it is prejudice. For a country to ensure its ruling over a smaller country as you put it, the first country has to have the mentality that they are entailed to something that the other country is not, proving that one country believes itself to be superior and looks down on the other.
ReplyDeleteSo if i said that i'm stronger than you, therefore I can and will take your lunch money is prejudice?
DeletePrejudice is irrational and detrimental to others rights. As far as I can see, the Europeans were quite logical about their approach to the Africans, and as for rights, what rights do you have that you don't fight for (most are lucky as they are born into a social contract)?
Awesome blog. I like how you take so many awesome, specific examples from the different books. I like how you examine Heart of Darkness with a very critical eye that takes into account many interpretations. I like the very clever inferences by walking alongside the characters within the story. Extremely insightful. I love how you decisively take a serious stand against racism and spare no expense when it comes to justice. It makes me hungry when you mention the New Yam Festival. This is truth. Nice pictures. You are right. It is a shame losing traditions over time. Yes, I would feel very hurt. Yes, I agree. Heart of Darkness does show how insane and crazy all those Lobsterbacks and Belgians are even if they have Belgian waffles and tea. I do remember how much waste of supplies and taking advantage of others occurs. I concur and might further add, if possible, that we would be inhuman ourselves not to see the insanity, craziness, dark societiness, and ruthlessness of Imperialism. Well, that’s thoughtful and keen of you to state that opinions differ. I like how you mention at the end how the frame of a previous experience enhanced your frame of mind before reading the craziness that is Heart of Darkness, as you so decisively and accurately stated. I appreciate that you read the book from a humanistic point of view. Encore.
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