Africa has always been identified as the dark continent; but is it the responsibility of the native culture or is the stereotype caused by the influences of "civilized" society? Civilized society lives in the “flicker” (Conrad), while Africans live in the heart and soul of Nature allowing it to grow in and through them. Conrad, Achebe, and Kingsolver all see natives in an overall positive light, with undertones of reverence and sympathy. Each author has a unique tone towards Native people based on their personal experiences. All authors, however, recognize the “wild vitality” (Conrad) within the natural population, and Conrad specifically goes so far as to declare that they are “as true as the waves along the shore” (Conrad). The “civilized” white men in all three novels feel that it is in their position to go to Africa and “fix them”: the very “thought of their humanity” (Conrad) is what drives the white man to label them as adversaries while writers identify them as vibrant and whole. People as a whole stereotype Africa as "the dark domain of poison-tipped arrows and bone-pierced lips" (Poisonwood Bible), however, the authors of these works craft them all in such a way as to show their personal reverence for the natives. They see, and want readers to see, how admirable the natives really are and sympathize with them because of the struggles with the settlers. The details used throughout the novels further convey the authors' thoughts and mood towards the native Africans. For these novelists, African culture and people are beautiful, not because of artificial goods, but because of their natural essence. Even when their “bodies [drip] sweat” (Conrad) or their faces look like “the… middle of paper… their] being” (Conrad) prevents them from seeing the richness of the culture around them. In many cases, the indigenous culture has robust values ​​and “are not even Christian” (Poisonwood Bible), a religion associated with a civilized people. At the end of it all, readers should realize how much harm and evil “civilized” societies can generate and begin working to alter the bitter and indestructible heart of humanity. All three authors idolize the African people and culture for their morals and way of life; “Civilized” societies should take note and learn from native tribal customs while they still exist. These cultures bring new breath to the human race and deserve to be considered positive and valuable for all humanity. Works Cited Heart of Darkness; Joseph Conrad Things fall apart; Achebe Poisonwood Bible; Barbara Kingsolver