Heart of Darkness and the Dehumanization of Africans The Western world, in general, is not kind to Africa and its native inhabitants. We recognize Africa's existence, but we don't want to see or understand anything beyond the obvious: blatant things that are open to criticism like apartheid (a European invention). The occasional laudable entity receives momentary applause, but the congratulations are short-lived and quickly forgotten. These statements relate only to politics, so one can imagine the righteous indignation on the part of 20th century African writers when their work is largely ignored in favor of an enlightening book like Heart of Darkness. One writer, Chinua Achebe, seeks to change this view by illustrating the complex and unquestionably civilized rituals and protocols of everyday African life. He is not alone in his effort, as many other writers also describe an Africa worthy of respect while crumbling long-standing traditions of ignorant prejudice and condescension. Can Achebe really change the perception that Africa is nothing but the heart of an immense darkness that surrounds us all? This is exactly what he tries to do in his essay on racism. He notes that "white racism against Africa is such a normal way of thinking that its manifestations go completely unnoticed." He also questions the classification of Heart of Darkness (or any work that dehumanizes Africans) as a “great work of art” (12). Obviously, this essay is more direct in its attack on the standard view of Africa than his novels, but Achebe uses the essay forum to express his hopes for the future of African literature in the West. He wants to rehabilitate this image that he continues to see from all those who... middle of paper ......have thoroughly rehabilitated me towards Africans in literature. There are only a few billion left before Achebe can call his project a success. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness." Hopes and Obstacles: Selected Essays. New York: Anchor, 1990.-- -- --. No longer comfortable. London: Heinemann, 1960.-- -- --. Things fall apart. 1958. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, expanded edition, vol. 1. Ed. Maynard Mack. London: Norton, 1995.Ba, Mariama. Such a long letter. 1980. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, expanded edition, vol. 1. Ed. Maynard Mack. London: Norton, 1995. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: Signet, 1997. Soyinka, Wole. Death and the King's Knight. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, Expanded Edition, Vol. 1. Ed. Maynard Mack. London: Norton, 1995.