Final answer:
Joseph Conrad wrote 'Heart of Darkness', which, despite its critique of Belgian colonialism, has been criticized for its portrayal of Africans, particularly by Chinua Achebe. George Orwell authored '1984', focusing on the dangers of totalitarianism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The novel Heart of Darkness was written by Joseph Conrad as a critique of the brutal colonial exploitation of the Congo by the Belgians.
However, despite its anti-colonial undertones, the novel has been scrutinized for its portrayal of African characters. Critics like Chinua Achebe have accused Conrad of dehumanizing Africans and perpetuating racism and Eurocentrism within the text.
Achebe emphasizes that the African characters in Heart of Darkness are largely voiceless or portrayed negatively, arguing that the novella's artistic qualities do not mitigate its racially insensitive aspects.
Similarly, George Orwell's 1984 provides a critical examination of totalitarianism and individual autonomy within a dystopian society, touching on themes of power, manipulation, and freedom.