Achebe objects to the inhumanity of the colonialists for not being able to see the humanity of the natives in Heart of Darkness. In fact, he argues that the savage humanity they see within the natives is only the savage humanity that is within them and not the natives. We never truly know how colonialism affects the natives because a great story has yet to be told from their point of view. Indeed, it is the point that Conrad is such a great storyteller that people become blinded to the fact that his work completely dehumanizes a people, their history, and their culture. Achebe does not understand how we can call a piece of art "great" when it upholds the dehumanization of a whole people.
Heart of Darkness relates to Apocalypse Now because it shows how the role of the Western Savior can truly hinder and diminish a native culture. Apocalypse Now proves this through how Kurtz selfishly overtakes the native tribe as his own. This manipulation to prove himself a God is indeed a twisted example of the Western Savior complex and how it has deeply shaped the way we view native culture. A view that truly is more of Western culture's ideas of society and their wanting to break free from the obligations that bind them than the actuality of the natives presented in both works.
I agree with this. In both An Image of Africa and Apocalypse Now the theme of dehumanization of the different culture is present. I feel as though thought out all wars dehumanization of the opposing culture is a must in order to be able to come to terms with killing.
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