This article reassesses the controversial issue of racism in Heart of Darkness (1899), focusing primarily on Marlow’s responses and actions (or the lack thereof). It also engages the critics themselves. In this reassessment it will restore attention to the work itself rather than to its theoretical implications, carefully going over Marlow’s observations on the parallels between the English (European) past and contemporary Africa and its inherently “evil” landscape. A re-examination of the racist language used in the novella and the significance of the Grove of Death will be undertaken. Finally, it will reconsider the humanity of the cannibal crew, the impact of the death of the African helmsman on Marlow, and Marlow’s choice of nightmares. This reassessment concludes that Conrad’s masterpiece, like all great literature, is too complex to justify an either or reading and, in certain respects, was in advance of its time.
Sung Ryol Kim (Sun,) studied this question.