What does Achebe say about Conrad's views of the "kinship" between Europe and Africa, between Europeans and Africans? (:

  In the critique, Achebe believes Conrad’s views of “kinship” between Europe and Africa, as well as Africans and Europeans, is narrow-minded.  Actually, Achebe believes Heart of Darkness presents a very racist image of Africa.  Conrad’s novel upheld the Europeans as innocent, good-intentioned people, while Africans were described as savage and dumb.

           All through the "Image of Africa," descriptions of the novel give readers an idea of how Conrad unfairly illustrates Africans.  Achebe is disgusted when an African pronounces, “‘Mistah Kurtz- he dead’”.  Conrad does allow relationships to develop between Mr. Kurtz and the Africans, but the kinship seen between Europeans could never cultivate between Africans and Europeans.  Relationships of the latter are very teacher/pupil and Achebe believes Conrad is presenting an unfair assessment of the possibility of budding relationships between different cultures.