Achebe on Conrad

[jbor]

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>From: Terrance <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
>

> The argument [ ... ] says that until Achebe woke up the world
> with his claims, this racist mentality was being perpetuated
> by those that argued its canonical status.  Or at least, all
> those that taught the text and did not challenge the
> representation of Africans in the story on the grounds that
> it reflects a racist mentality perpetuated that mentality.

It certainly seems that something like this is the case. I agree with you
that canonicity and the definition of "great work of art" are contentious
issues. _The Merchant of Venice_ is what sprang immediately to my mind in
the context of a great work of art which discloses racist attitudes.

But stereotypes and "permanent literature" do form cultural attitudes, and I
think Achebe is right in saying that _HoD_ was a core text being taught just
about everywhere (probably even in Africa!) And I also think he is right in
saying that, until his essay at least, the stereotyped representation of
African people and African culture -- upon which the revelation of the
novel's "meaning" or message hinges imo -- had gone unremarked.

You began the current thread by saying that you hoped the publishers would
omit Achebe's essay from the preface to the text of _HoD_. Are you still of
this opinion?

> TFA is a canonical text in NYC. Achebe may be little known
> outside academia in Germany or other parts of the world, and
> certainly in other parts of the U.S. but in major U.S. cites
> like NYC, Achebe is read, studied, studied and read.
> Students here all know him and his work. Some schools
> continue to read HoD.

Yes, both are core texts here as well.

best