After reading Achebe’s “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness,’” I am having mixed feelings. Although Achebe uses detailed and numerous examples in his argument on the racism in Heart of Darkness, and I agree that from this small view the novel does appear to contain racist undertones, I do not agree that it should not be considered great literature. Although I really do not know what constitutes a great book, I tend to agree that novels that I have read that have been considered great, tend to be detailed and well written works that illuminate a deeper meaning, and thus should be considered great. From what I read, Heart of Darkness seems to fit this criteria by highlighting flaws in the European colonialist attitude towards Africa. I believe that it would be a disservice to remove Heart of Darkness from the lists of great books, because it is racist. Rather, the better course of action would be to continue to encourage study of the literature to show a point of view in the past, and to reinforce to students in the present and future, why racism has no place in the present day.
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