Opposing Viewpoints of Africa in Two Short Stories...

In every situation, varying perspectives and opinions will be present, as proven in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. These literary works reveal opposing viewpoints of Africa through the use of literary and stylistic devices. The natural, primitive society is portrayed using sensory detail, imagery, and diction, which in turn reveal the authors’ different attitudes. Through his use of arrogant diction and vivid imagery, Conrad establishes a superior tone, while Achebe incorporates words with peaceful connotations into his sensory detail to create a serene tone. In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad uses carefully chosen words in his diction and imagery to convey a disdainful tone. Throughout the†¦show more content†¦This reveals the author’s intolerance towards the Africans, making it clear that he views the Africans from the perspective of an outsider who is unfamiliar with tribal customs. Along his journey, Conrad notices a â€Å"stillness of life† and acknowledges that in other circumstances this would have a peaceful effect (Conrad); however, due to his unfamiliar surroundings and fear of the unknown, he finds the stillness threatening and foreboding. Overall, Conrad conveys a message to the reader that Africa is uncivilized and inferior to other societies. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe uses sensory detail and peaceful diction to emphasize Africa as a harmonious land. Achebe incorporates sensory detail by describing the â€Å"birds chirruping in the forests† and the â€Å"sandy footway†¦ [throwing] up the heat† (Achebe). This indicates the role of nature in the setting and the importance it has in the African culture. He also uses words that carry connotations of tranquility such as â€Å"silent,† â€Å"faint,† and â€Å"faded† to add to the mood of togetherness in the passage (Achebe). Like Conrad, Achebe mentions trees that â€Å"had stood from the beginning of things, untouched by the ax and the bush-fire,† suggesting a primitive element to Africa (Achebe). In contrast to Conrad, however, this adds to the natural, tranquil feeling of Achebe’s passage.Show MoreRelated The Lie of Imperialism Exposed in Literature Essay3048 Words   |  13 Pagesperiod had far-reaching and detrimental affects on the language and identity of traditional societies. Derek Walcott’s postcolonial poem, â€Å"The Season of Phantasmal Peace† (1981) presented in dialogue with Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1910) and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958) brings to light the powerful role that language played in executing the lie of imperialism on colonized peoples and the implications that this exertion of power has had and continues to have on the postcolonial