An Image of Africa Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad has been described as "among the half-dozen greatest short novels in the English language". [pg.1] Chinua Achebe thinks differently. In An Image of Africa: Racism is Conrad's Heart of Darkness by Chinua Achebe simply states that "Joseph Conrad was a total racist" [p.5] Achebe argues that the racism observed in Heart of Darkness is expressed due to Western psychology or, as Achebe states, “desire”, that is to show Africa as an antithesis of Europe. First, he establishes Conrad as “one of the great stylists of modern fiction.” [pg.1] He praises Conrad's writing talent but believes that Conrad's obvious racism was not addressed. He later describes in more detail that Conrad's "methods amount to nothing more than a constant, ponderous, and mock-ritualistic repetition of two antithetical phrases." Let me elaborate by laying out some of Achebe's arguments and my criticisms. Achebe first emphasizes "Conrad's adjectival insistence on the inexpressible and incomprehensible mystery." He states that many of Conrad's critics see this simply as a stylistic flaw. Achebe believes that Conrad chose "the role of disseminator of comforting myths", this to ensure, according to Achebe, that he was not in conflict with the "psychological predisposition of the reader". [pg.2]He first analyzes Conrad's distinction between the two rivers in the novel, but later moves on to a more important topic, the "racism" towards blacks in the novel. He claims their lack of speech is seen as “dehumanising”. Achebe believes that Conrad considers dialect to be a downgrading. This relates to Conrad's "refusal of language to his rudimentary souls." [page 7] His first statement concerns the spread...... of the map...... of Central Africa." [page 6] Achebe states that Conrad's image of Africa it is not his, but the Western imagination and that Conrad is simply showing the norm. Achebe's main point is as much about Joseph Conrad's racism as it is about the need for change in Western society The West has “in its heart”.[pg.8] We must look in today's society, in today's media and in the books read in schools. We must realize that “offering bribes to the West in exchange for its good opinion of the West. Africa” [page 9] is absurd. He sees now as the time for change. He does not place the blame only on Conrad but on Western society always known better than any occasional visitor even when he arrives loaded with gifts from a Corrado.”[pg.9]