Envisioning Africa : racism and imperialism in Conrad's "Heart of darkness

On publication in 1899 Heart of Darkness was hailed as an indictment of European imperialism. In recent years it has been denounced as racist and imperialist. Firchow counters these claims by contrasting the meanings of race and imperialism in Conrad's day to those of our own time. For one hundred years, Heart of Darkness has been among the most widely read and taught novels in the English language. Hailed as an incisive indictment of European imperialism in Africa upon its publication in 1899, more recently it has been repeatedly denounced as racist and imperialist. Peter Firchow counters these claims, and his carefully argued response allows the charges of Conrad's alleged bias to be evaluated as objectively as possible. He begins by contrasting the meanings of race, racism, and imperialism in Conrad's day to those of our own time. Firchow then argues that Heart of Darkness is a novel rather than a sociological treatise; only in relation to its aesthetic significance can real social and intellectual-historical meaning be established. Envisioning Africa responds in detail to negative interpretations of the novel by revealing what they distort, misconstrue, or fail to take into account. Firchow uses a framework of imagology to examine how national, ethnic, and racial images are portrayed in the text, differentiating the idea of a national stereotype from that of national character. He believes that what Conrad saw personally in Africa should not be confused with the Africa he describes in the novel; Heart of Darkness is instead an envisioning and a revisioning of Conrad's experiences in the medium of fiction. For One Hundred Years, Heart Of Darkness Has Been Among The Most Widely Read And Taught Novels In The English Language. Hailed As An Incisive Indictment Of European Imperialism In Africa Upon Its Publication In 1899, More Recently It Has Been Repeatedly Denounced As Racist And Imperialist. Peter Firchow Counters These Claims, And His Rational, Carefully Argued Response Allows The Charges Of Conrad's Alleged Bias To Be Evaluated As Objectively As Possible. He Believes That What Conrad Saw Personally In Africa Should Not Be Confused With The Africa He Describes In The Novel; Heart Of Darkness Is Instead An Envisioning And A Revisioning Of Conrad's Experiences In The Medium Of Fiction.--jacket. Envisioning Africa -- A Mere Animal In The Congo -- Envisioning Kurtz -- Imperial Sham And Reality In The Congo -- Unspeakable Rites And Speakable Rights -- E.j. Glave, Captain Rom, And The Making Of Heart Of Darkness. Peter Edgerly Firchow. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [236]-249) And Index. For one hundred years Heart of Darkness has been among the most widely read and taught novels in the English language. Hailed as an incisive indictment of European imperialism in Africa upon its publication in 1899, in recent years it has been repeatedly denounced as racist and imperialist.Peter Firchow is the first to counter these claims. His rational, carefully argued response allows the charges of Conrad's alleged bias to be evaluated as objectively as possible. He begins by contrasting the meanings of race, racism, and imperialism in Conrad's day to those of our own time. He then responds in detail to negative interpretations of the novel by revealing what they distort, misconstrue, or fail to take into account. "For one hundred years, Heart of Darkness has been among the most widely read and taught novels in the English language. Hailed as an incisive indictment of European imperialism in Africa upon its publication in 1899, more recently it has been repeatedly denounced as racist and imperialist."--BOOK JACKET. "Peter Firchow counters these claims, and his rational, carefully argued response allows the charges of Conrad's alleged bias to be evaluated as objectively as possible. He believes that what Conrad saw personally in Africa should not be confused with the Africa he describes in the novel; Heart of Darkness is instead an envisioning and a revisioning of Conrad's experiences in the medium of fiction."--BOOK JACKET. Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 Preface 10 Introduction: Race, Ethnicity, Nationality, Empire 18 1. Envisioning Africa 35 2. A Mere Animal in the Congo 48 3. Envisioning Kurtz 79 4. Imperial Sham and Reality in the Congo 98 5. Unspeakable Rites and Speakable Rights 126 6. E.J. Glave, Captain Rom, and the Making of Heart of Darkness 145 Conclusion: Exterminating All the Brutes 181 Appendix 199 Notes 225 Works Cited 269 Index 283 A 283 B 284 C 284 D 286 E 286 F 286 G 286 H 287 I 288 J 288 K 288 L 289 M 289 N 290 O 290 P 290 R 290 S 291 T 291 U 291 V 291 W 291 Y 291