Best of Week: Views in Heart of Darkness

One of the best discussions we had this week occurred after we listened to Achebe's opinions and began talking about an African's point of view in Heart of Darkness. We noticed how it isn't brought up, because in 1899, this wouldn't have been 'acceptable,' or rather, it would've been perceived as revolutionary and a huge shift. All because of the portrayal of Africans during this time period. Would we even be studying this book had it an African's view? Like Vicki had mentioned, the entire essence of the book would be changed because it wouldn't have the harsh reality and treatment illustrated in such manners. I completely agree that the entire novel would be different. However, would it be for the worst? Perhaps, but this thought sparked my mind into thinking what effects having an African's view would have on the novel.

After brainstorming possibilities-introduce a close slave, make the narrator black, make the harlequin black- it seemed that the most feasible was to make the narrator black. But wouldn't this change how we as readers perceive Marlow? We'd see him as immoral and cruel, while really, he's the character struggling to find the balance of morality in a world of immorality, whether he succeeds or not. This would change the entire meaning behind the novel in terms of this major theme. I believe that this wouldn't get across the reality from the time period. When we brought up how South African students would feel reading this book now compared to us, this would be flipped 180 degrees had the narrator been black. It would make us hate everything about Marlow while he is just on a journey trying to find his way. So did Conrad make the right decision? I would say yes, because that's what makes me feel these strong emotions while reading Heart of Darkness. It allows readers to envision the horror more so by seeing how the Africans' voices were unimportant at the time; how they were treated in terrible, terrible ways.

This discussion made me realize that there can be two rights. Yes, the essence of the novel would change, but there are possibilities to introduce an African's POV whether it be for better or worse. It made me see how multiple sides played out and in the end how my judgment ruled based on the ideas of both sides.