Ecce homo - Chinua Achebe's image of Conrad

In his famous essay, "An image of Africa: racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness", the late Nigerian writer, scholar and critic Chinua Achebe points out how the permanent place held by Joseph Conrad and his novel in the literary pantheon has contributed towards perpetuating "comforting myths" where Africa and its people serve as a coarse foil against which to show Western civilisation's refinement and achievements (ACHEBE In ARMSTRONG, 2006, p. 339). A ferocious "Ecce homo", this seems to be the bottom line of Achebe's unapologetically emotional criticism. Tainted by irredeemable eurocentrism and racism, Joseph Conrad should then be finally overthrown by critics and ostracised by the public. But, relevant and (always) timely as it is, should cultural criticism, especially when championed by an eminent, authoritative African scholar as Achebe, refuse Conrad the benefit of the doubt? Literature, genuine literature, we believe, won't pass the test of time unless it proves to be more than ideological prestidigitation and strikes a chord that is more than decorous compassion. It is by looking at Heart of Darkness as first and foremost a work of art that we attempt to outline an alternative image to the racist Conrad presented by Achebe.