Introduction In This Research: The Author Will Focus On The ✓ Solved

10 Introductionin This Research The Author Will Focus On The Realism

In this research, the author will focus on the realism of two well-known novels: Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Both novels deal with colonialism and imperialism in one way or another. However, the views of colonialism in the two novels differ in a major way. In Heart of Darkness, Conrad shows colonialism as a violent force which destroyed a society of savages and barbarians and introduced ‘civilization’ to them. In contrast, in Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe shows colonialism as a violent force which destroyed a highly developed culture.

While both novels show the savage nature of colonial empires, they present a different picture of the societies they invaded. My main aim is to compare both the novels and identify similarities and differences in the way they present colonialism in Africa.

The major objectives of this research are: 1. To identify which author presents the most realistic view of Africa 2. To understand the impact of these novels on the African culture and society, especially their impact on women empowerment 3. To analyse the colonized’s and colonizer’s point of views.

The major research questions which the author will focus on are: 1. What are the similarities and differences between the two novels? 2. How are women portrayed in both the novels? 3. How have their peers reviewed or critiqued these two novels?

Many previous researchers have compared these two readings from either the colonizer’s point of view or the colonized’s point of view. I will synthesize the findings from these researchers and present my findings from both the viewpoints. Thus, it will be a qualitative research which will focus on review of existing findings.

According to Irele, Things Fall Apart is the alpha of modern African literature. This was one of the first novels to showcase African society as a “coherent social structure” with “meanings and values.” Achebe showed the conflict between African values and the advent of Christianity in Nigeria. This novel influenced many African students of the time who started taking pride in their own culture (Gikandi). On the other hand, Heart of Darkness is a novel of the pitfalls and perils of greed, lust, and the corruption of ideals and values by the darkness that dwells within all of mankind. According to Brown, this novel takes on a ‘privileged and a pervasive’ role which reflects a ‘colonialist’ mindset. In fact, Achebe considers Heart of Darkness as a racist portrayal of African society which is filled with ignorance and willful lack of information.

After my analysis of findings, I will comment on who I found more realistic. This will be based on my review of existing researches on the two novels. I hope that my research will give my readers a better and unbiased understanding of the two novels, Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness, and they can make their own opinion based on my research.

Paper For Above Instructions

Colonialism has resulted in changes across various cultures, presenting narratives that are often complex and contentious. This paper explores the representation of colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, elucidating the contrasting perspectives offered by both authors regarding colonial encounters in Africa.

Historical Context

To understand the representations in these novels, one must first consider the historical context of colonialism in Africa. European powers, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, engaged in extensive colonization of African territories, justified by ideologies of civilizing missions. These ideologies laid the groundwork for numerous literary explorations and critiques of imperialism, which Conrad and Achebe address through their respective narratives.

Contrasting Narratives

Conrad’s Heart of Darkness presents colonialism through a lens heavily influenced by European perspectives, characterizing it as an adventure that unveils the underbelly of civilization, marked by barbarity and moral degradation. The novel chronicles Charles Marlow’s journey into the African Congo, where he confronts the disturbing realities of colonial exploitation and the moral ambiguities of imperialism. The portrayal of Africa as a ‘dark’ and ‘savage’ land reflects the colonial mindset prevalent during that era, depicting African people through a prism of ignorance and savagery (Achebe, 1977).

In contrast, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart counters this narrative, foregrounding the depth and richness of pre-colonial African society. The novel provides a nuanced exploration of the Igbo culture, showcasing its traditions, social structures, and complexities before colonial intervention. Achebe presents colonialism not merely as a destructive force but as a catalyst that irrevocably altered a sophisticated civilization (Gikandi, 2000). Rather than a land of savagery, Achebe’s Africa is depicted as a civilization with its own values and systems of governance.

Focus on Women’s Roles

Both novels portray women, but their representations and roles differ significantly. In Things Fall Apart, Achebe highlights the cultural significance of women within the Igbo society, capturing their agency and the essential roles they play within their families and communities. The character of Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s wife, exemplifies the emotional and social contributions women make. In contrast, Conrad’s portrayal of women, particularly through the character of the African mistress and the intended, tends to emphasize their sexual objectification, reflecting a Eurocentric viewpoint that reduces their agency (Brown, 2006).

Critical Reception and Perspectives

The reception of these novels reveals a divergence in perspectives. Critics have noted that Achebe’s work has been instrumental in redefining African literature and asserting African voices in the literary canon (Irele, 2001). His critique of Conrad is particularly significant, as it addresses the racial stereotypes embedded within Heart of Darkness and challenges its colonial ideologies (Achebe, 1977).

Conversely, critics of Heart of Darkness have acknowledged Conrad's exploration of the psychological aspects of imperialism and the moral dilemmas faced by colonizers (Brantlinger, 2006). However, they also argue that Conrad’s depiction encapsulates a colonial mindset that disregards the humanity of the African people, illustrating a dichotomy in the interpretations of colonial narratives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the contrasting portrayals of colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart provide valuable insights into the complexities surrounding colonial narratives. While Conrad’s work reflects a Eurocentric view that often dehumanizes African societies, Achebe’s narrative seeks to reclaim and validate African identity and culture. Through a comparative analysis of these two significant texts, readers are invited to engage with the multifaceted dimensions of colonialism and its lasting impacts on African societies.

References

• Achebe, Chinua. "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness." The Massachusetts Review, Vol. 57, No. 1 (1977): 14-27.
• Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Portsmouth: African Writers Series, 2000.
• Brown, Tony C. "Cultural Psychosis on the Frontier: The Work of Darkness in Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'." Studies in the Novel, Vol. 32, No. 1 (2006): 14-28.
• Gikandi, Simon. "Chinua Achebe and the Invention of African Culture." Research in African Literatures, Vol. 32, No. 1 (2000): 3-8.
• Irele, F. Abiola. "The Crisis of Cultural Memory in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart." African Studies Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2001): 1-40.
• Brantlinger, Patrick. "Imperialism, Impressionism, and the Politics of Style." In Heart of Darkness: an Authoritative Text, Backgrounds and Contexts, Criticism, 4th edition. Ed. Paul B. Armstrong. New York: W.W Norton & Company, 2006. 3-77.
• Cooper, Frederick. Africa Since 1940 – The Past of the Present. 7th edition. New York: Cambridge UP, 2006.
• Ahluwalia, D. P. S. Politics and Post-colonial Theory: African Inflections. Florence: Routledge, 2000.
• Hawkins, Hunt. "Heart of Darkness and Racism." In Heart of Darkness: an Authoritative Text, Backgrounds and Contexts, Criticism, 4th edition. Ed. Paul B. Armstrong. New York: W.W Norton & Company, 2006.
• Kortenaar, Neil ten. "How the Center Is Made to Hold in Things Fall Apart." In Things Fall Apart: A Casebook, Ed. Isidore Okpewho. New York: Oxford UP, 2003.