Characters
The protagonist and main storyteller of Heart of Darkness.
Marlow
Kurtz's last words before his death.
"The horror, the horror"
Heart of Darkness opens in this setting.
A boat on the Thames River
"It fascinated me as a snake would a bird" is an example of this literary element.
A simile or metaphor
The key to Africa for Europeans. It allows them access to the center of the continent without having to physically cross it; in other words, it allows the white man to remain always separate or outside.
The river
The chief of the Inner Station and the object of the protagonist's quest.
Kurtz
Marlow uses this phrase to describe England centuries ago: "This also has been . . ."
"one of the dark places of the earth."
Marlow discovers these atop the fence posts at the Inner Station.
Human heads
"But the wilderness had found him out early and had taken on him a terrible vengeance" is an example of this literary technique.
Personification
What is important is the preservation of Europe. For Europe is the center of civilization. Our technology, scientific knowledge, and body of laws are superior to those of other cultures and races.
An efficient worker with an incredible habit of dressing up in spotless whites and keeping himself absolutely tidy despite the squalor and heat of the Outer Station, where he lives and works.
Chief Accountant
Marlow describes looking at a map when he was young and seeing many of these.
"blank spaces of the earth"
Most of Marlow's adventures take place in this country.
The Congo
This term describes the beginning and ending sections of the novel when Marlow is talking.
What is a frame story?
From morning to dusk we work until our bones hurt and our muscles ache. For this back-breaking work we get fed poor quality food and not enough of it. When we resist these cruel conditions, we are beaten, tortured, and sometimes maimed or murdered. Ours is a sad life of suffering and deprivation.
Who are the colonized?
Natives hired as the crew of the steamer, a surprisingly reasonable and well-tempered bunch, who express disappointment when the helmsman's body is pushed overboard.
The Cannibals
The statement made by the Manager's boy after Kurtz passes away.
"Mistah Kurtz--he dead"
This weapon causes the death of the helmsman.
A spear
The term "heart of darkness" functions as this literary element.
A symbol
Our sense of dignity has been harmed. They abuse us and use us. They steal from us and burn our homes. Pick up your weapons and let's fight these foreign devils. We outnumber the Europeans 100 to 1. This is the only way we can take back control over our homes and families.
What is resist?
Marlow's doting relative, who secures him a position with the Company.
His Aunt
The phrase the Russian repeatedly uses to describe the natives.
"They are simple people."
This is the document that Marlow tears the postscript off of before offering it to the Company.
The report on the Suppression of Savage Customs
The doctor's questions about madness in chapter 1 serve this literary function.
Foreshadowing
What is submit?