Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness contain several similarities and differences. To begin with, Okonkwo and Mr. Kurtz seem like two totally different people, but they share many similarities. Next, Chinua Achebe’s portrayal of the african people in Things Fall Apart varies drastically from Joseph Conrad’s portrayal of african people in Heart of Darkness. Also, the practice of displaying human heads differs between Okonkwo’s view and Marlow’s. Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart rejects the Europeans’ portrayal of Africa and African Culture in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
First, Okonkwo and Mr. Kurtz share many similarities. Okonkwo, an African man, believes that culture should be the main focus in life while Kurtz IS a european man …show more content…
Achebe describes the people of africa as great and powerful people with a rich culture. Conrad on the other hand, describes the African people as “unhappy savages” (Conrad 24) and “Creatures” (Conrad 27). Conrad portrays the African people almost as animals that are only useful for working. Both authors have almost opposite views on the African people.
Also, the practice of displaying human heads is seen completely different by Okonkwo and Marlow. In Okonkwo’s culture the more human heads you bring back home from war the more respect you gained and okonkwo already had “his fifth head, and he was not an old man yet” (Achebe 10) which meant he was well respected. On special events they would “drink palm-wine from their first human head” (Achebe 10) which helps prove that human heads were seen as trophies in Umuofia. Marlow sees the human heads as “striking and disturbing” (Conrad 97). Marlow doesn’t understand the tradition of keeping human heads which assures Marlow that the Africans are savages.
To Conclude, Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart is a response to Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and rejects the Europeans’ portrayal of Africa and African culture. The novels have some similarities, but mostly contain differences due to Conrad not having a full understanding of African culture and
First, Okonkwo and Mr. Kurtz share many similarities. Okonkwo, an African man, believes that culture should be the main focus in life while Kurtz IS a european man …show more content…
Achebe describes the people of africa as great and powerful people with a rich culture. Conrad on the other hand, describes the African people as “unhappy savages” (Conrad 24) and “Creatures” (Conrad 27). Conrad portrays the African people almost as animals that are only useful for working. Both authors have almost opposite views on the African people.
Also, the practice of displaying human heads is seen completely different by Okonkwo and Marlow. In Okonkwo’s culture the more human heads you bring back home from war the more respect you gained and okonkwo already had “his fifth head, and he was not an old man yet” (Achebe 10) which meant he was well respected. On special events they would “drink palm-wine from their first human head” (Achebe 10) which helps prove that human heads were seen as trophies in Umuofia. Marlow sees the human heads as “striking and disturbing” (Conrad 97). Marlow doesn’t understand the tradition of keeping human heads which assures Marlow that the Africans are savages.
To Conclude, Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart is a response to Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and rejects the Europeans’ portrayal of Africa and African culture. The novels have some similarities, but mostly contain differences due to Conrad not having a full understanding of African culture and