Heart of Darkness Outline of Assignments



Heart of Darkness Outline of Assignments

Background: Joseph Conrad has a rich style full of details and complex sentence structures. His descriptions found at the beginning of the novel can be confusing but are the most interesting aspects of the novel because they set the tone and provide a mindset for the rest of the work. The novel is set on a ship, traveling in Africa along the Congo River and throughout the coast. The character Marlow is telling the tale of his adventure to other sailors on a later cruise in Europe. Be careful not to confuse him with the narrator.

DUE Block Day Wednesday/Thursday, Oct 28/29: Book 1 and complete the first journal

Notebook assignment to be prepared and brought to class on due date for stamped completion in Section 3- Class Notes and Knowledge.

Directions: Identify the following 6 quotes found in Book 1 of Heart of Darkness. What is the context (page number, situation being discussed, surrounding plot circumstances) of the quote and what does it signify in the first part of the story? If the meaning is unclear, look at the context of the quote. What could it be foreshadowing? What theme might it illuminate? What literary element does it highlight? (Character, setting, theme, conflict, point of view…) What connotations could be associated with the words, images, or ideas of the passage? You may need to re-read lines before and after the given lines to understand the quote. Then answer question #7.

1. “And this also…has been one of the dark places of the earth.”

2. “…imagine the growing regrets, the longing to escape, the powerless disgust, the surrender, the hate.”

3. “ I have known seen… strong, lusty, red-eyed devils but… I foresaw that in the blinding sunshine of this land, I would become acquainted with a flabby, pretending, weak-eyed, devil of rapacious and pitiless folly.”

4. “…the silent wilderness surrounding this cleared speck on the earth struck me as something great and invincible, like evil or truth, waiting patiently for the passing away of this fantastic invasion.”

5. “I don’t like work—no man does—but I like what is in the work,—the chance to find yourself. Your own reality—for yourself, not for others—what no other man can ever know. They can only see the mere show, and never can tell what it really means.”

6. “It was reckless without hardihood, greedy without audacity, and cruel without courage; there was not an atom of…serious intention among them.”

7. How does the overall language (diction, syntax, denotation and connotation) Conrad uses support the tone(s) of the novella thus far?

DUE Block Day Wednesday/ Thursday, November 4/5: Book 2 and Journal

Notebook assignment to be prepared and brought to class on due date for stamped completion in Section 3- Class Notes and Knowledge.

Directions: Answer the following questions about Conrad’s language and style (impressionist writing) on your own in your notebook. Be clear, concise, but thorough and provide evidence when necessary to answer the question.

1. How does Conrad use imagery to illuminate the meaning of his text? What forms of imagery does he use? What are two strong examples of imagery found in part II? Include page numbers and passages (quotes) written out please.

2. Consider the native crew of the steamboat. Then contrast them with the “pilgrims” who were supposedly more civilized than the crew. What language does Conrad use to describe the two groups of men? What, then, is the definition of “civilized” based on this comparison?

3. The drums in part II are a symbol. What do they symbolize? How does Conrad use symbolism in his novella thus far? (Perhaps, why does Conrad use symbols?) Provide an example with a cited quote of a symbol besides the drums from part II.

4. Pick one of the following motifs (recurring images and/or ideas) and find at least three references to it from throughout the novel. List the page reference and then discuss how the motif operates within the context of the novel as a whole. Choose from the following motifs: savages, grass, rivets, jungle, river, huts, disease, progress, madness, civilization, light, efficiency, death images (bones/skulls).

5. Analyze Conrad’s style, particularly his diction and syntax, in the novella thus far. What are some words that would describe his writing style? Consider words to describe language and tone. In a paragraph, provide a brief analysis of how Conrad’s language and style affect the meaning of the novella, either illuminating or disfiguring the theme and/or purpose.

DUE Tuesday, November 10 (Per 2, 4, 6) OR Thursday, November 12 (Per 1, 5): Book 3 & Journal

Notebook assignment prepared and brought to class- will turn in all 3 for points on this day.

Directions: In this assignment, look for repeated themes and overall ideas from the novella. Then answer the following prompts using textual evidence in your notebook. You can refer back to prior sections.

1. Identify three (3) passages that deal with a theme of Heart of Darkness. Provide a brief explanation (2-3 sentences) of how the passages you have chosen relate to theme(s). Include page numbers and paragraph references (Starting with “…” and ending with “…”)

2. Respond to Kurtz’s final utterance. What is “the horror” to which he refers?

3. Marlow says that women live in beautiful worlds that we shouldn’t disturb. How is that true here at the end of the novel? Compare and contrast the native woman who is apparently Kurtz’s lover with Kurtz’s “intended” back in Europe. What general attitudes about women are being expressed, and how do those attitudes fit into the novel as a whole?

4. What, then, is the Heart of Darkness?

5. Discuss why Conrad would use the frame story structure for this novel.

Please date and number the sections in your notebook according the question numbers. Leave space between each assignment, as well as at the end of each question in case you want to add to your responses during class discussion.

Answer the questions in a concise but thorough manner. Always use text when you can to back up your answer. Keeping track of page numbers will help in class discussions, as most people will have different editions. Feel free to post-it passages or annotate in your own copy of the novel.

Remember, the more you come to class, the better off you will be through the jungle of this challenging novella! I will stamp all assignments on the days they are due, as well as collect the notebooks at the end of the unit to grade for content. There may be additional reading quizzes if deemed necessary.

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