ACHEBE Heart of Darkness

Achebe's main objection is that it was written by a white male who was out of touch with the African culture.  Achebe objects the Heart of Darkness due to the language and portrayal of the Africans. Ethnocentricity is also a huge part of society and always has been which is an issue.  The Heart of Darkness describes the Africans as if they are a different species.  It's really about the dehumanization as Africans overall.  This relates to Apocolypse Now because the soldiers are also dehumanized in a way.  They are thrown into this environment where they are basically taught to act like savages or animals because that is what makes them "the best soldier".  For example the soldiers described the Vietnamese as a backwards and primitive group of people.  For example when the Vietnamese are half naked on canoes they are seen as animals because their culture wasn't understood.
-cole p