Depictions of Africa, Essay Example

Introduction

The below essay is going to compare and contrast the depiction of African culture and belief systems within Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”  and the “Heart of Darkness” by Achebe. The author of the current essay is attempting to review the perspectives represented by the two authors, as well as the most common stereotypes, their appearance, confirmation, and denial through a thorough analysis of themes, characters, and events. The main thesis that the below essay is focusing on is that self-perception of African people depends on their environment, and the culture they interact with. The role of stereotypes on one’s self-awareness will also be analyzed in detail.

Depictions Of Africa

In Achebe’s story, the traditional villages of Africa are depicted in detail, with oil lamps, long conversations, and the presence of the ancestors. Even though the grandfathers and great-grandfathers are not present physically, they are some of the main topics of conversation. The role of the past and traditions is highlighted by the description of the environment. People living in the village assign the environment a special meaning, which is based on traditions: “When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk” (Achebe, 7). People are content with their lives, work on the farm, and are generally grateful for the gifts of nature, and the presence of elders. Everything seems to be in place in the African village, until “things fall apart”. As such, the environment and the village is depicted as a utopia, until external changes impact the lives of people. External changes are triggered by colonization, and the life of the Ibo-tribe changes forever. In the second part of the novel, the white people appear. They invade the culture and customs of people in the village, but cannot ruin their connection with nature. The depiction of rain by the author clearly symbolizes the close relationship between humans and the nature: “When the rain finally came, it was large, solid drops of frozen water which the people called ‘the nuts of the water of heaven’” (Achebe, 97).

The story of Conrad is, however, depicted through stories told by Marlow, who is the main narrator. One of the main themes that relates to the environment is that Marlow does think that Africa is the center of the Earth. At the same time, it is a mysterious place, where anything can happen, unlike in Europe. It is a world without rules and full of savages.  The description of the culture in Conrad’s story is different, as the perspective of the narrator varies from Achebe’s Okonkwo. The main difference is that Okonkwo has a close connection with the culture and environment in Africa, while Conrad is an outsider and an observer, with a limited knowledge. Marlow simply states that Africa “has been one of the dark places of the earth.” (Conrad, 5).

Depiction Of African People

In both stories, African people are described as savages, however, through his knowledge about the customs and culture,  Achebe provides a deeper understanding of customs, beliefs, and traditions than Marlow.  Conrad’s story focuses shows readers how colonizing Europeans see African people. Achebe is an insider, who grows up in an African village and socializes in the African culture. He admits that some of the customs, such as trading virgins and going to war over small things is not the most ethical way, but can explain it to the reader. Marlow, however, assumes that Africans are primitive and indistinguishable. Interestingly, Achebe’s account describes all people as an individual with feelings, habits, and talents. African people in Achebe’s book are distinguished by their talents and value for the community, while in Conrad’s book, they are depicted as individuals without any distinctive value. Marlow judges people of Africa based on European standards, while Achebe uses his African heritage to explain the society’s dynamics. Achebe explains the reason for war and violence: the fear of famine. The European narrator, however, does not fully understand the same dynamics, and describes Africans as dark and primitive.  Okonkwo beats his family members, not because he is a violent person,  but because he feels like it is his responsibility to lead the way, show example, and punish his wife (Merz, 1). There is no contrast of perceptions of African people in Conrad’s book, however, the views of Europeans (civilized people) and Africans (barbarians) are contrasted in Achebe’s writing. In the end of the book, the author describes how the District Commissioner talks about “The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes after the suicide of Okonkwo, and this way, the author shows the difference between the European and African views about life, people, values, customs, and consequences of actions. Imposing power on people through colonization, Europeans appear to be just as violent as the waring tribes of Africa, however, their methods are more civilized and sophisticated. Through the above contrast, the author highlights that European notions of Africans are mainly driven by stereotypes.

Differences In Perspectives Identified

Applying European norms on African society is wrong, and this is one of the main messages of Achebe’s story. Through the life of Okonkwo, his connections with the tribe and family members, society, he describes the African culture as one that is in order, has norms, and self-regulation. Based on the events, Europeans appear to be unnecessary, uninvited intruders, while Africans are not peaceful, but trying to keep peace. Indeed, many of the wars between tribes are triggered by fear of violence. The aggression of the characters within “Things fall apart” can be explained through culture and traditions. They go to war to avoid problems. Most of the time, people work on the farms, care about their families, and have their roles assigned by the society. Elders are respected, and decisions are not made without them. Children are looked after, and wives are beaten up “in their own interest”. Conrad, however, does not consider African culture a real culture, and describes Africans as cavemen: “The prehistoric man was cursing us, praying to us, welcoming us: who could tell?….we glided past like phantoms, wondering and secretly appalled, as sane men would be before an enthusiastic outbreak in a mad house” (Conrad 35). The above description clearly highlights European misconceptions about Africans, and stereotypes that are not challenged by colonizers.

Theme Analysis

Both of the books have one major theme: colonization, however, they both  introduce the events from a different perspective. In “The Heart of Darkness”, open racism is represented through the narrative, and the behavior of characters. The theme is more visible in this novel than in Achebe’s novel, but it is still present there. The colonizing people enforce Africans to abandon their traditions and culture, and  -while they are kind to them – they look at them as inferiors. Losing one’s culture and the importance of traditions is also a major theme of both books. The converted Africans in Achebe’s novel no longer consider themselves members of the Igbo tribe. They lose social connections, their culture, and become disconnected from their roots. Colonization alienates them from their tribe. According to Saffo (12),  Africans in Conrad’s story become dehumanized, and lose their identity that way. The self-perception of Africans is impacted by colonization in both books in a different way. Achebe describes becoming a Christian as losing one’s true identity and culture, therefore, those who convert lose their social support and connection. Conrad, however, describes Africans’ loss of self-respect due to open racism, and inhuman treatment. Africans in the book are treated as animals.

Conclusion

The above review and comparison of the two novels has highlighted that stereotypes played a great part in the way Africans were treated during colonization. Racism was identified as one of the major themes of both novels. Africa is described from an insider’s and an outsider’s perspective, and the views of Europeans is only challenged in Achebe’s novel. Through contrasting the views of Europeans with the description of African culture, norms, society, and heritage, the author shows the readers how stereotypes destroy social connections, people’s self-identity, and self-respect. Dehumanization is described by both authors: through open racism and handling groups of people as inferiors. Overall, both books confirm the negative impact of stereotyping, and trying to judge others through one’s own norms, instead of trying to understand the dynamics of their culture and society.

Works Cited

Achebe, C. “Things Fall Apart” 1959. Print.

Conrad, J. “Heart of Darkness” Macmillan. 2010.

Merz, S. “Stereotypes in Heart of Darkness and Things Fall Apart”. 2010. Web.

Saffo, M. “Chinua Achebe & Joseph Conrad. – A comparison of two authors who present Africa in different ways”. 2008. Web.