Degenerate Representation and Racism in Heart of Darkness

This paper has analyzed Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness from Orientalist perspective. The term “Orientalism” been a critical tool after Edward Said described how understanding Europe about the non-Europeans became weapon maintaining power over latter. research applied analytical and interpretivist approaches in discussion. objective is to pinpoint why colonial rulers novel stereotypically produce representations Orient (here African included) create false illusion that West “self” East “other”. selected text light Said’ description stereotypes Oriental land race as strange, inferior wild. search shows Conrad presents Africans uncivilized people, living backward condition. He derogatorily describes them their physical appearance social behavior. Congo presented wild, uncommon mysterious. Europeans express obsession they are intelligent, skilled much superior native try justify rule an effort civilize develop place.