His writings create a representation of the European view and also incorporate Conrad's life experiences. .
Through physical descriptions and events, Conrad characterizes the Africans as a sub-human race. His physical descriptions of "faces like grotesque masks" that "[move] about like ants" with "short ends behind [wagging] to and fro like tails" show his derogatory attitude toward the natives (21,23,24). Conrad portrays the natives as animals that "go off on all fours" and capable of learning tricks (27). The characterization of the Africans in Heart of Darkness disturbs Achebe. He feels that Conrad gives almost human status to those Africans who "have the merit of being in their place" or provide a use to the Europeans (8). The black helmsman described by Conrad represents what a native could aspire to by making himself useful to the colonists. The lack of restraint exhibited by the helmsman generalizes the Africans into a frantic, foolish group of animals (Conrad 86). Conrad describes the African fireman as a ridiculous spectacle and refuses to give the firemen any redeemable qualities (61). Achebe sees the humor in Conrad's description of the African fireman and notes Conrad's amazement at an African performing a needed task (8). The African mistress, a "barbarous and superb woman, too had her place amongst the natives and away from Kurtz "(Conrad 115). This characterization shows her positive characteristics, but mostly emphasizes her wild and inhuman nature. Conrad chooses vulgar language to demean the Africans using words such as "niggers", "savages", "brutes", and "creatures" to strike an extremely negative connotations (29,30,126,27). .
Conrad's depiction of the Africans is negative, but so is his characterization of the Europeans. He describes them as "strong, lusty, red-eyed devils" that plunder a continent simply for their own benefit (Conrad 25). His description of the Eldorado Exploring Expedition as "cruel without courage" summarizes his view of imperialism in general (Conrad 50).
