Heart of Darkness: Lecture notes

Quick Write: Generate 20 Questions about Heart of Darkness. Close reading questions about what the text says (answer can be found “right there in the text”) Ex: On page 9, who is Fresleven and what happens to him? Open-ended questions about what the author’s style + text’s meaning Ex. On p. 10-11, why does Conrad make multiple references to “two women knitting black wool”? What is the allusion? How does this allusion relate to the central themes of the text?

Heart of Darkness: Structure Narrative layers + Conrad’s purpose Conrad creates a multi-layered text = layers of narrative isolation increases the distance between the main character in the text, Kurtz, and the reader First layer of isolation: Conrad’s use of his experiences as the fresh-water commander of a steamboat expedition up the Congo River (Marlow)

Reader has to work through 3 distinct narrative layers… …to reach the truth about Kurtz 2nd layer: told from a narrator listening to Marlow’s story 3rd layer: Marlow as he relays a story, the meaning of which he himself admittedly does not fully understand

The reader is left with… Marlow himself does not fully understand the meaning of his experience. His stories are “inconclusive experiences.” As readers, we are left to draw our own conclusions about Kurtz’ character, Marlow’s character, and Conrad himself.

Threes The text is divided into three distinct parts Part I: Toward the Heart of Darkness Part II: In the Heart of Darkness Part III: Out of the Heart of Darkness

Into the Darkness: Consider the Allusions 1. “Two women knitting black wool” 2. “Morituri te salutant” 3. Adieu, not Auivoir

“Two women knitted black wool feverishly.” (10) Suggests the Fates of Mythology Knitting his (Marlow’s) FATE Sense of foreboding—evil—”not half of the people return.” “She glanced at me above the glasses. The swift and indifferent placidity of that look troubled me.” (11) “An eerie feeling came over me. She seemed uncanny and fateful. Often far away there I thought of these two, guarding the door of Darkness, knitting black wool… …as for a warm pall, one introducing, introducing continuously to the unknown, the other scrutinising the cheery and foolish faces with unconcerned old eyes.” (11)

Ave! Morituri te salutant. “Hail! We who are about to die salute you.” Proclaimed by Roman gladiators as they marched past the emperor.

Adieu Note word choice here: Conrad writes, “Du calme, du calme, adieu.” (12) Adieu, not auvoir Adieu = goodbye forever even if you return, you will not be the same man

Winter Break Homework 1. Read + annotate Things Fall Apart. What to annotate? Read study guide first. Annotate for characterization, theme, literary devices, etc. *Remember Meyer’s annotation suggestions in the Bedford: Read, quick mark, THEN return and write annotations + journal/response 2. GRASPS essay first draft: due 1/6 8:00a.m 3. “The Second Coming” SPOTTTS analysis 4. Contribute to discussion board - turnitin.com

“This is the end… My beautiful friend…the end…” Viewing: “Apocalypse Now” Compare and contrast this film interpretation of Conrad’s novel Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” Martin Sheen as Captain Willard (i.e., Marlow) Marlon Brando as Kurtz Vietnam as Afri