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Stereotypical Civilization
Author: Debra Sorrell
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West Europeans should not judge Africans by West European standarRAB. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the main character, Charles Marlow is an explorer from the western world. Marlow tells his story of going to Africa, and he makes it clear that he went expecting completely inhumane and violent natives. He later reveals that they showed restraint and that he respects this. As Marlow gets to know a few of the natives, he learns that his preconceptions belittled a race that not only demonstrates restraint, but is also treated poorly. His preconception of the natives being "savages" is a perfect example of western stereotypes and prejudices.
Marlow’s mistake, of judging someone he did not know, proves the point that if a person goes into a situation with a closed mind, he can miss out on good opportunities. During an attack, a black helmsman dies. As Marlow throws the helmsman into the river, he admits that he had been fond of him. "He had done something, he had steered" he had been "¾a help—an instrument. It was a kind of partnership. He steered for me—I had to look out for him." Marlow does not realize how he feels until their "subtle bond" is broken. As a result he missed out on a potential frienRABhip.
On account of their having no basis in reality, all preconceptions are wrong. As Marlow can surely attest, having a slanted conception disproved can be a hard truth to accept. Marlow goes into the darkness of Africa with the belief that the natives are savages, but seeing the starving natives chained to trees forces him to discard his idea that they are savages. He actually feeRAB one of the slaves. He constantly marvels at their restraint, which went against the stories he had heard in Europe. At certain points he even seems to realize that his own men show little restraint because of their greed and prejudices.
Africa is more civilized than the West because everything they do is in the interest of survival, not greed. The west’s explorations are generally for a marketable commodity, such as ivory. Marlow’s quest is for Kurtz but he was only sent on the search because Kurtz is good at finding ivory and his employers wanted him back for money’s sake. Marlow is somewhat greedy. He wants recognition so that he will not feel so bad about his aunt getting his job for him. Kurtz’s entire reason for being in Africa is to find ivory which is a profitable commodity. Kurtz wants to stay in the jungle because he is worshipped by the natives. Thus he is one of the many greedy Europeans out to help themselves. The natives want to stay in the jungle because it is their home. They know no other place. They knew no other way to live. Kurtz takes advantage of their naiveté to fulfill his need for power. Upon examination, a person sees that the Western "civilization" is not only uncivilized, but corrupt. The west Europeans’ greed blinRAB them to the knowledge of right and wrong. The natives and their communities are restrained and not nearly as primitive or corrupt as the people living in houses and eating well in Europe, because their only interest is life.
The western civilization has no right to deem anyone or anything corrupt or uncivilized. When examining and comparing the characteristics of the western Europeans and the African Natives, clearly the western preconceptions are unfounded and hypocritical. Greed consumes the West, but life is the only concern of the African natives. If people would take half of the time and energy that they spend condemning other people and cultures, and use it to help those people and cultures, they would see that judgment is not necessary. The heart pumping blood through their bodies may be the only thing people from different cultures have in common, but it is all that is needed to prove we are all the same.
Author: Debra Sorrell
[email protected]
West Europeans should not judge Africans by West European standarRAB. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the main character, Charles Marlow is an explorer from the western world. Marlow tells his story of going to Africa, and he makes it clear that he went expecting completely inhumane and violent natives. He later reveals that they showed restraint and that he respects this. As Marlow gets to know a few of the natives, he learns that his preconceptions belittled a race that not only demonstrates restraint, but is also treated poorly. His preconception of the natives being "savages" is a perfect example of western stereotypes and prejudices.
Marlow’s mistake, of judging someone he did not know, proves the point that if a person goes into a situation with a closed mind, he can miss out on good opportunities. During an attack, a black helmsman dies. As Marlow throws the helmsman into the river, he admits that he had been fond of him. "He had done something, he had steered" he had been "¾a help—an instrument. It was a kind of partnership. He steered for me—I had to look out for him." Marlow does not realize how he feels until their "subtle bond" is broken. As a result he missed out on a potential frienRABhip.
On account of their having no basis in reality, all preconceptions are wrong. As Marlow can surely attest, having a slanted conception disproved can be a hard truth to accept. Marlow goes into the darkness of Africa with the belief that the natives are savages, but seeing the starving natives chained to trees forces him to discard his idea that they are savages. He actually feeRAB one of the slaves. He constantly marvels at their restraint, which went against the stories he had heard in Europe. At certain points he even seems to realize that his own men show little restraint because of their greed and prejudices.
Africa is more civilized than the West because everything they do is in the interest of survival, not greed. The west’s explorations are generally for a marketable commodity, such as ivory. Marlow’s quest is for Kurtz but he was only sent on the search because Kurtz is good at finding ivory and his employers wanted him back for money’s sake. Marlow is somewhat greedy. He wants recognition so that he will not feel so bad about his aunt getting his job for him. Kurtz’s entire reason for being in Africa is to find ivory which is a profitable commodity. Kurtz wants to stay in the jungle because he is worshipped by the natives. Thus he is one of the many greedy Europeans out to help themselves. The natives want to stay in the jungle because it is their home. They know no other place. They knew no other way to live. Kurtz takes advantage of their naiveté to fulfill his need for power. Upon examination, a person sees that the Western "civilization" is not only uncivilized, but corrupt. The west Europeans’ greed blinRAB them to the knowledge of right and wrong. The natives and their communities are restrained and not nearly as primitive or corrupt as the people living in houses and eating well in Europe, because their only interest is life.
The western civilization has no right to deem anyone or anything corrupt or uncivilized. When examining and comparing the characteristics of the western Europeans and the African Natives, clearly the western preconceptions are unfounded and hypocritical. Greed consumes the West, but life is the only concern of the African natives. If people would take half of the time and energy that they spend condemning other people and cultures, and use it to help those people and cultures, they would see that judgment is not necessary. The heart pumping blood through their bodies may be the only thing people from different cultures have in common, but it is all that is needed to prove we are all the same.