Comparing the Presentation of Cultures in Literary Texts
Question 14 • TX-English II B
Read the excerpt from "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.”Marlow comes through to us not only as a witness of truth, but one holding those advanced and humane views appropriate to the English liberal tradition which required all Englishmen of decency to be deeply shocked by atrocities in Bulgaria or the Congo of King Leopold of the Belgians or wherever. . . .The kind of liberalism espoused here by Marlow/Conrad touched all the best minds of the age in England, Europe and America. It took different forms in the minds of different people but almost always managed to sidestep the ultimate question of equality between white people and black people.Read the passage from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.It was unearthly, and the men were—No, they were not inhuman. Well, you know, that was the worst of it—this suspicion of their not being inhuman. It would come slowly to one. They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces; but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity—like yours—the thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly. Yes, it was ugly enough.
Answer
A
Conrad’s passage describes a concerned attitude, while Achebe uses evidence to critique that concern.
B
Achebe’s passage describes an indifferent attitude, while Conrad’s describes a concerned attitude.
C
Achebe's passage describes hypocritical attitudes, while Conrad's passage gives an example of that hypocrisy.
D
Conrad’s passage describes a respectful attitude, while Achebe’s describes a determined attitude.
Explanation
Achebe argues that Marlow and Conrad’s liberal concern for people subjected to atrocities avoids the deeper issue of equality between white and Black people. Conrad’s passage shows Marlow recognizing the Africans’ humanity and kinship with himself, but he still describes them as “wild,” “ugly,” and inhuman-seeming. This tension illustrates the hypocrisy Achebe criticizes: acknowledging shared humanity without fully rejecting racist judgments.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.