Read the excerpt from "An Image of Africa: Racism in
Conrad's Heart of Darkness."
Which statement summarizes Achebe's claim about
Conrad's Heart of Darkness?
When a writer while pretending to record scenes,
incidents, and their impact is in reality engaged in
inducing hypnotic stupor in his readers through a
bombardment of emotive words and other forms of
trickery, much more has to be at stake than stylistic
felicity. Generally normal readers are well armed to
detect and resist such underhand activity. But Conrad
chose his subject well – one which was guaranteed not
to put him in conflict with the psychological
predisposition of his readers or raise the need for him
to contend with their resistance. He chose the role of
purveyor of comforting myths.
Read the passage from Heart of Darkness by Joseph
Conrad.
Achebe argues that Conrad's audience may share
his bias and accept his stereotypes.
Achebe argues that Conrad's characters are
unconventional and that his audience will approve of
them.
Achebe argues that Conrad's choice of words will
provide a valid counterargument to criticism.
Achebe argues that Conrad's citation of evidence
showing that Africans are artistic will please readers.
Now and then a boat from the shore gave one a