Drawing from our readings and class discussions, write an essay that focuses on a specific idea or textual effect in one of the novels we've read (if you want to think about any two novels, you can). Your essay should develop a coherent project that shows your understanding of the issues we have analyzed in class and that thoughtfully uses the works of literary and cultural theory we have read. Heart of Darkness explores reality and perspective in several interesting ways. ; these include, among others, the interaction of reality and objectivity, the use of otherness to define one's own identity and the construction of this otherness in direct association with one's perception of oneself. even. This essay seeks to trace the interdependence of the ideas of reality and perspective in Heart of Darkness by considering both the process and results of colonization on the identity of the colonizer. We will achieve this by focusing primarily on the narrative style of the text, and then accessing the importance of that style in a broader context. Finally, the essay will explore the relationship between reality, perspective and the process of colonization as well as the effects of this process on the colonizer. Chinua Achebe regards Conrad's use of a “narrator behind a narrator” (342) as a failed attempt to draw a “cordon.” health” (342) between author and perspective, which is an extremely interesting conclusion. Unfortunately, Achebe's criticism fails to recognize the power of the implicit in Conrad's text, focusing too much on the obvious effect and ignoring the deeper role of this narrative technique. The dual narration of the story, as well as having a protagonist narrator in the first...... middle of paper ......d post-colonial theory (p. 173). New York, NY: Columbia. Conrad, J. (2006). Heart of Darkness. In P. B. Armstrong (Ed.), Heart of darkness (4th ed., p. 5). New York London: Norton Critical Editions. Conrad, J. (2006). Heart of Darkness. In P. B. Armstrong (Ed.), Heart of darkness (4th ed., p. 25). New York London: Norton Critical Editions. Conrad, J. (2006). Heart of Darkness. In P. B. Armstrong (Ed.), Heart of darkness (4th ed., p. 50). New York London: Norton Critical Editions. Conrad, J. (2006). Heart of Darkness. In P. B. Armstrong (Ed.), Heart of darkness (4th ed., p.26). New York London: Norton Critical Editions. Hawkins, H. (2006). Heart of Darkness and Racism (4th ed., p. 366). New York London: Norton Critical Editions.Orientation. (2010). In the Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved March 11, 2011 from http://www.oed.com.proxy.lib.ul.ie/view/Entry/132540