• Leena

In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, racism is a pervasive theme that shapes the narrative and reflects the attitude of European colonialism in the late 19th century. The novella explores the dehumanization of African people through the protagonist Marlow’s journey into the Congo, where the portrayal of Africans is deeply rooted in stereotypes and Eurocentric perceptions of race. Africans are often depicted as primitive, savage, and voiceless, reinforcing colonial power structures and justifying exploitation. The narrative’s treatment of race reveals Conrad’s critique of imperialism and the inherent contradictions in his perspective. Critics have long debated whether Heart of Darkness challenges or perpetuates racist ideologies. While some argue that Conrad exposes the brutal realities of colonialism, others contend that the novella’s portrayal of Africans reinforces harmful racial hierarchies. Chinua Achebe, in his famous critique, called Conrad a “thoroughgoing racist” for his failure to grant African characters humanity or agency. Thus, Heart of Darkness remains a complex and contested text in postcolonial studies, reflecting the tensions between anti-colonial critique and the racist assumptions of its time. This ongoing discourse highlights the novella’s role in shaping the modern conversation about race, literature, and historical representation.

Eurocentrism, Dehumanization, Stereotypes, savages, Brutes.

"Racism in Heart of Darkness", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no.c532-c537, December-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412262.pdf

"Racism in Heart of Darkness", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no. ppc532-c537, December-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412262.pdf