Read the excerpt from "An Image of Africa: Racism in
Conrad's Heart of Darkness.
Which statement summarizes Achebe's claim about
Conrad's Heart of Darkness?
Abc
When a writer while pretending to record scenes,
incidents, and their impact is in reality engaged in inducing
hypnotic stupor in his readers through a bombardment of
emotive words and other forms of trickery, much more has
to be at stake than stylistic felicity. Generally normal
readers are well armed to detect and resist such
underhand activity. But Conrad chose his subject well-
one which was guaranteed not to put him in conflict with
the psychological predisposition of his readers or raise the
need for him to contend with their resistance. He chose
the role of purveyor of comforting myths.
Read the passage from Heart of Darkness by Joseph
Conrad

Achebe argues that Conrad's audience may share his
bias and accept his stereotypes.

Achebe argues that Conrad's characters are
unconventional and that his audience will approve of

them.
Achebe argues that Conrad's choice of words will
provide a valid
counterargument to criticism.

Achebe argues that Conrad's citation of evidence
showing that Africans are artistic will please readers.