- What elements of the novel suggest that it might be a racist work? In what ways does Conrad use language subtly or directly to express political views?
I don't believe the piece is racist in a negative sense. I
believe it is the opposite. While the language does have a WASP feel to it, the
purpose of its existence is primarily to encourage a meta-cognitive reflection
amongst readers that fit into said category. What I presume Conrad wanted
to instill into a bigoted audience, is the error of their ways. With regards to
the language of the piece, while Conrad does make use of the "N" word
quite often, it's not in poor taste. That type of language just wasn't frowned
upon back then; it was widely accepted and broadly used. In fact, if Conrad had
not used such presently repulsive language his work would not have been
believable, thus making it inferior to its current state.
The only way I see language being used
to display views of any kind are, again, his use of the “N” word. This only
places emphasis on racist ways of thinking, which I guess can be tied to some
form of a political view. The only place I believe, where references to
political views are brought in are through the relationship between the company
and the cannibals. The company hired the cannibals to work for them, despite
the fact that they are cannibals. The only logical reasons as to why they did
this are because they are cheap labor and because the company feels the need to
possibly assimilate the cannibals into a “respectable” state in society. This display
of the company believing their way is the only correct way is similar to
socialism, I think. This display is the only example of political views being
expressed throughout the novella that I noticed.
I had avoided this topic when blogging because im slightl conflicted in my thoughts on it. I agree with you saying the language was a part of the time, “That type of language just wasn't frowned upon back then; it was widely accepted and broadly used,” that is totally true. I also agree that it allows for a realistic novella. These elements are both valid, however, that does not mean the behavior is not racist. Though times have changed, that change is the lenses we are analyzing the book through. Marlow’s vocabulary and attitude define racism as we understand it and ultimately that is the conflict I find in the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThe one way to point out the flaws in a culture is to put it into media - I'm thinking Honey Boo Boo. Though it may have not changed anything about the culture, people may have began recognizing their liberal use of the term after HoD's publication. Believability is also a factor as well; like you mentioned, people may have not accepted the work if it didn't sound like the times. I prefer to think of the novel as a snapshot of the period rather than a true expression of Conrad's personal beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI felt like Heart of Darkness is one of those books you kind of expect to have racial remarks. It's a stereotypical thing to say, but most novels from a certain type period just tend to have racial slurs. I also agree with you, the remarks were more reflective of the time, and not on the narrator. And Abby, I fully agree as well. If the media doesn't promote it, no one will know any difference.
ReplyDeleteI cannot find myself to consider this work "racist." It simply just depicts the culture. Now that I'm reading over that, the last comment seems like an argument to be racist... More than anything, I feel conflicted.
I like how you point out that without the use of such language that the work would be "unbelievable;" I once sent to see an author speak and she said she had to add in more vulgarity into her novel because she realized it would be unrealistic otherwise. Honestly, I think if you didn't expect to see any sort of vulgarity in the novella, then you haven't read much. Racial slurs were simply part of the vernacular back then and weren't a big deal; I mean, you can't even type it out without getting nervous today! It's all about your upbringing, what your parents taught you, what your society taught you. However, that doesn't make their actions justifiable. This is such a touchy topic and it's hard to articulate what constitutes as moral rights and wrongs.
ReplyDeleteNot only does Conrad use racial slurs, but when he isn't using racial slurs he is referring to the natives as "creatures," "poor devils," and "savages." If anything reveals ethnocentrism amongst the characters in the novel, it's how those characters describe the natives as inhuman, with Marlow's "not inhuman" description being the closest thing the native Africans get to being referred to as actual men. Even then, they aren't considered human, just "not inhuman." However, these specific phrases that Conrad use are not his own descriptions, but his character's. Like Dylan said, the characters must carry a sense of superiority or the novella would not have been believable.
ReplyDelete