Trilling on the Heart of Darkness by Conrad In Trilling's and Achebe's analyses, the merit of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is considered in a complex manner. Unlike the accusatory critique of Achebe's essay which regards the short story as an incompetent and offensive gesture unfit for canonical recognition, Trilling's analysis tears out the various themes and implications of the story, greatly rendering the dispositions ambivalent of the characters and emphasizing historical relevance and transcendence. content. Subjective and insightful, Trilling's knowledge of the subject and its legacy further justifies Conrad's short story's rightful place in the canon. "A paradigmatic literary expression of the modern concern for authenticity," Trilling considers the transcendence of Conrad's short story Conrad as a barometer for earlier publications, despite his non-controversial intentions. Referring to The Golden Bough (James George Frazier), a literary study of the traditions, rights and practices of early civilizations, as they relate to literature and psychology, and an important source for classical anthropology; Trilling considers Heart of Darkness to be his inspiration. Trilling proposes that the very essence of African culture and history is on display in the pages of Heart of Darkness; even more so when the temperance of Kurtz and Marlow is considered. Achebe, on the other hand, says the opposite. In criticizing the naivety of an individual who does not recognize the existence of African history, he proposes that there is a very common "Western desire" for Africa and its traditions to be a foil for Europe and its lore, identifying the theme of Heart of Darkness when he states: "What excited you was just... middle of paper... and your attitude, and then he went on to emphasize the influence of the short story about the future and the transcendence of meaning over time, in contrast to Achebe's criticism of the novel as an insensitive look at African culture and a roundabout way of avoiding the confrontation of human origin and assimilation to different cultures. In this regard, Trilling has provided a much more content-sensitive argument for the right of Conrad's short story to belong to the Canon. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. "'A Picture of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness'". "A Picture of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness". W. W Norton and Co, 1988. Essay. Conrad, Joseph. “Heart of Darkness and Congo Diary.” Heart of Darkness. 1899. Novella. Trilling, Lionel. “Sincerity and authenticity.” e critical essay.—. "The greatness of Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'." sd.