Herge, Tintin and Racism

The racism in Tintin in the Congo and is often dismissed by Tintin fans as youthful folly. Fans point to The Blue Lotus as an example of how Herge learnt from his mistake and depicted the Chinese in a sensitive and positive light. However the portrayal of the Japanese is suspect as this essay points out.

An Analysis of Herge’s Portrayal of Various Racial Groups in The Adventures of Tintin: The Blue Lotus [PDF]

Herge’s motivation to depict the inhumanity of colonial oppression in The Blue Lotus is offset by his dehumanizing characterization of the Japanese. Through manipulation and repetition of comic imagery, heightened impact through timing, expressive gesture, and reflective writing, he built a message that was bold but ultimately shortsighted. Herge’s benevolent concern for the Chinese was earnest, but he proves to be a much more of an effective propagandist than a social commentator.