HEART OF DARKNESS—Part III

Close Reading (total points: 40)

Instructions: Answer in detail on a separate sheet of paper using complete sentences.

1. What are Marlow’s feelings about the man in motley? How are these feelings contradictory?

2. How had Kurtz obtained such great quantities of ivory? Why were the natives awed by him?

3. “They only showed that Mr. Kurtz lacked restraint in the gratification of his various lusts . . . eloquence.” What is the antecedent of “they”? What aspect of Kurtz’s personality allowed the wilderness to take such a “terrible vengeance” on him?

4. Quote the image with which Marlow describes Kurtz.

5. Who is the “woman,” and what can you infer about her?

6. “Ah! but it was something to have at least a choice of nightmares.” Tell how this quote relates to Kurtz. Explain the irony.

7. Quote Marlow’s reasons for not sounding an alarm when he discovers that Kurtz has escaped.

8. Explain the symbolism of this quote: “The brown current ran swiftly out of the heart of darkness . . . .”

9. Quote Marlow’s reason for insisting that Kurtz was a remarkable man.

10. Upon returning to England, Marlow visits Kurtz’s intended. Why does he lie to her?

Response to Literature Essay Writing (total points: 20)

Having just read what many consider to be a particularly challenging, and, at times, frustrating story, answer this question: Why do you think Conrad went to such pains to write this obviously well-crafted story? Moreover, what have you derived from this reading experience? What does it say to you about yourself and about life in general? Write an essay stating and explaining your answers.

Bonus Question (total points: 10)

Imagine that Marlow has been invited to discuss T. S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow Men” with our English class. How would Marlow interpret it? Write the lecture as he might give it.