When Europeans arrived in Nigeria to harvest ivory and spread their religious ideals, many Africans were exploited and their cultures were destroyed. been irreversibly modified. Two novels, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, tell the story of the white man's impact on Africa. However, one may wonder whether the novels really complement each other. Conrad's work has been called "racist" by Chinua and contains certain elements, such as language and perspective, that allow it to be open to interpretation. Although suggestions of racism exist in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, closer analysis shows that he depicts some sympathy towards Africans. It particularly shows African dignity and culture in contrast to the brutality of Europeans, making this book a complement to Things Fall Apart. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In both works, the authors show the humanity of African culture through the actions and traditions of Nigerians. Conrad, for example, emphasizes the degree of control demonstrated by the inhabitants, particularly through Marlow's reactions and observations. Although he states that he "would just as well have expected restraint from a hyena prowling among the corpses of a battlefield" as from the "natives", Marlow admires the strong will of the hungry cannibals on the boat. He says: “It is truly easier to face grief, dishonor and perdition of one's soul than this kind of prolonged hunger. » Although the comparison of a person to a hyena is crude, the respect conveyed in these lines shows that Conrad recognizes the honorable traits that Nigerians possess. Achebe's novel goes beyond simple recognition, however. Instead, it gives an in-depth insight into the culture of Nigerians by following the life of Okonkwo, a respected member of the Umuofia tribe. The narrator remains objective throughout the play and describes the customs practiced by the tribe which may be considered positive or negative by the reader. This view offers a different perspective than Conrad, who views events exclusively from a European perspective. An example of the traditions of Achebe's novel is the sacred week of peace that takes place between harvest and planting. When Okonkwo breaks the peace by beating his wife, he is forced to offer a sacrifice to the earth goddess. Previously, we discover, the punishment was to be dragged around the village until death, but this practice was abandoned because it broke the peace it was meant to protect. Although this custom may seem barbaric, it shows the importance of justice and peace to society, contrasting with Conrad's depictions of "grotesque" and "horrible" behavior. Rather, Achebe shows that there was a type of government that was respected and obeyed. A strong sense of ancestry and family connections is also evident. When the white man threatens the tribe, Okiko, a spokesperson, declares that those who remain to protect the ancient practices "have remained faithful to their fathers." Furthermore, when Okonkwo's son Nwoye joins the Christian missionaries, Okonkwo is not only angry, but worried that his spirit will never be respected by his descendants after his death. This connection to other human beings, although essential to Umuofia, is never mentioned by Conrad. Achebe continues to show the depth of emotions experienced by the natives, especially those felt by Okonkwo. By telling the story of one's father, one canclearly discern the motivations that led Okonkwo to become the proud and hardworking individual described in the novel. This personal past provides additional insight into the reasoning behind his emotions and makes his "wild" personality appear more human. The capacity for emotion is further emphasized by the strong connection he feels with the rest of the tribe. Shortly before his death, “Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it wasn't just personal heartbreak. He mourned the clan, which he saw break and collapse. Okonkwo was not a stupid brute, but a human being with emotions, attitudes and motivations. These concise observations provide far more insight into the humanity of Nigerians than Conrad offers. In Heart of Darkness, none of the Africans are given names and their perspectives and opinions are neither acknowledged nor speculated upon. The deepest connection a European feels comes from Marlow, who feels a "claim of distant kinship" with the ship's helmsman. He also engages in a few friendly acts, such as sharing a cookie with a dying local, but he has no close relationship with any of the natives. Conrad's redemption lies in the way he starkly describes the exploitation of Africans. When Marlow arrives in the Congo, he meets an accountant who has no concern for the well-being of the natives around him. When working, he comments that the moans of a dying person are distracting and that "when one has to make correct entrances, one comes to hate these savages – to hate them to death." By showing the callousness of the explorers, Conrad suggests that the European settlers contained as much primitiveness as the “prehistoric” men they oppressed. But despite the bleak depiction of white people in Conrad's novel, Things Fall Apart gives a clearer picture of how Europeans truly influenced Nigeria's culture through the use of two different missionaries: Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith. When the Church arrives, it brings a system of government and belief radically different from those in place in Umuofia. Although Mr. Brown's approach to evangelism was relatively low-key, Mr. Smith shows how much influence and power Europeans were able to have over Africans by actively working to change the traditions and beliefs of Nigerians . When Okonkwo leads the revolt against the missionaries, he is placed in their prison and he collapses. Although he has great respect for the laws and traditions of Umuofia, he commits suicide, one of the most despised crimes. This extreme act shows how much of an impact white men had on an individual as well as the tribe as a whole. Although Okonkwo committed suicide, his friend Obierka places the ultimate responsibility on the Europeans. “This man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia,” he says. “You drove him to suicide, and now he will be buried like a dog.” By using a native to place the blame for the deaths on the missionaries, Chinua provides a more powerful account than Conrad of the coming of Europeans to Africa. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get Custom Essay Thus, although Heart of Darkness conveys some parallel ideas about European influence in Africa, it lacks the force contained in Things Fall Apart. Conrad attempts to show the inherent wilderness of white people, but uses language that could still be interpreted as racist and conveys no reflection from the residents affected by the settlers. Chinua, on the other hand, uses a point of view to focus on the individual and the tribe in times of change and provides a more in-depth history of the culture.