Question

How does Achebe support his claim that Heart of Darkness contains racist elements?

He focuses on Conrad’s use of the word black.
He highlights Conrad’s contrasting descriptions.
He offers a personal opinion before the passages.
He points out that Conrad uses a simile only in the first section.

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- He focuses on Conrad’s use of the word black. — Yes. Achebe repeatedly analyzes Conrad’s diction (use of “black,” “savage,” etc.) to show dehumanizing racial coding.
- He highlights Conrad’s contrasting descriptions. — Yes. Achebe points out the persistent oppositions (light/dark, civilized/primitive) and how Africans are described in contrast to Europeans.

Incorrect:
- He offers a personal opinion before the passages. — No. Achebe does state his thesis up front, but his argument is built on close readings and quoted passages rather than merely a prior personal aside.
- He points out that Conrad uses a simile only in the first section. — No. Achebe does not base his critique on a claim about a single simile in section one.