Achebe argues that Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a racist work that dehumanizes Africans, portraying the continent as a place of darkness and savagery. Harris rebuts that Achebe misinterprets Conrad, claiming the novel intentionally parodies colonial attitudes and that its descriptions serve metaphorical purposes. The document's authors argue Achebe was wrong due to willful misinterpretation, misguided rage, missing Conrad's point that the work is about humanity's capacity for darkness, and failing to properly critique Conrad's portrayal of Africa rather than calling him racist. While understanding Achebe's perspective, they maintain Heart of Darkness is not an overtly racist text.

1. Heart of Darkness Racist? An in-depth look courtesy of Chinua Achebe and Wilson Harris

2. Chinua Achebe An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness “ an offensive and deplorable book” “ a story in which the very humanity of black people is called into question”