the significance of ones words

Ironically, although it may seem that Conrad is a “bloody racist” in fact he is not. Conrad is describing in full detail what he encountered. However there are reasons for why one may think he is a racist. For example, Conrad mentions “Black shapes crouched lay, sat between the trees leaning against the trunks, slinging to the earth, half coming out, half effased within the dim light, in all the attitudes of pain.” As a result of Conrad’s choice of words, and the lack of identifying the “Black shapes” as men, is one factor that may lead one to believe that Conrad is a racist. “…the work was going on. The work! And this was the place where some of the helpers had withdrawn to die.” This quote gives the impression that Conrad was waiting for the Africans to die. Although Conrad is not a “bloody racist” another reason for why he appears to be one is because of his description, “They were dying slowly- it was very clear . They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly now- nothing but black shadow of disease and starvation…” This portrayal removes the Africans humanity . Conrad mentions they are “Black shadows of disease and starvation”. As inhumane as it may seem, Conrad gives the reader factual information, “brought from all the recesses of the coast in all the legality of time contracts, lost in incon- genial surroundings, fed on unfamiliar food, they sickened…” This was an unpleasant period for the Africans. There are no inoffensive words that could describe their circumstances. The Africans physical, and mental state could have accurately described as “black shadows, shapes, and bones.” One may answer no, Conrad is not a racist for using those terms. His method allowed one to paint a clear image in their mind. As a result of Conrad referring to the Africans by their skin color, it is easy to assume that he represents a racist. Conrad also calls the Africans “creatures”, when he describes how one attempted to rise to his hands, and knees, on all fours, to get a drink from the river. Again, this explanation does not mean that Conrad is a racist, yet it leads one to think he is. As a result of the Africans mistreatment , and loss of humanity, they were looked upon as animals. As “creatures”, that had no authority. Conrad is basically giving light to the truth which had been verbally untold.