Show:
Diction
Vocabulary
Style
Setting
Plot
100
Describing the path leading up to the station: "[The path] turned aside for boulders and also for an undersized railway truck lying there on its back with its wheels in the air. One was off. The thing looked as dead as the carcass of some animal. I came upon more pieces of decaying machinery, a stack of rusty nails." What is Conrad implying about the effects of the Company and imperialism?
The Company and it's imperialism are leaving death in their wake.
100
On page 16: “ ‘I avoided a vast, artificial hole somebody had been digging up the slope, the purpose of which i found it impossible to divine.’ “ Normally 'divine' means excellent or delightful but in this text he uses divine in such way that means…
What is to discover/to find out.
100
Throughout the text, Conrad describes characters, settings, events, and concepts in great detail. The literary term (from the Bag of Tricks this summer) that would best define Conrad's overarching style throughout the text is ... A perfect example of this can be found on page 18 paragraph 1: "I met a white man, in such an unexpected elegance of get-up that in the first moment I took him for a sort of vision. I saw a high starched collar, white cuffs, a light alpaca jacket, snowy trousers, a clean necktie, and varnished boots. No hat. Hair parted, brushed, oiled, under a green-lined parasol held in a big white hand. He was amazing, and had a penholder behind his ear."
What is specificity.
100
Where is the location where Marlow mentions the devil? ( HINT: This is where Marlow witnesses the darkness that the Congo has to offer)
The setting where Marlow mentions the devil is a path leading up a hill.
100
Name the commodity that Marlow hears all about when first arriving at the station.
What is Ivory.
200
Upon meeting an African working for the Company, "He was speedily reassured and with a large, white, rascally grin, and a glance at this charge, seemed to take me into partnership in his exalted trust. After all, I also was a part of the great cause of these high and just proceedings." And "I've seen the devil of violence, and the devil of greed, and the devil of hot desire; but by all the stars these were strong, lusty, red-eyed devils that swayed and drove men-- ( insert m dash please) men, I tell you." What does the language in these two quotes tell about the Company's proceedings in Africa?
The Company & European Imperialism have evil and cruel effects on Africa.
200
On page 17, paragraph 2: "“these moribund shapes were free as air-and nearly as thin.” What are these ‘moribund shapes’ and using that information what does moribund mean
What is the african natives and moribund means at the point of death.
200
Name three to four literary/rhetorical devices used by Conrad in Heart of Darkness in the following quote: (page 17 paragraph 3)
What is metaphor, symbolism, imagery, and specificity.
200
Where is the story taking place? (Location - Continent and River - time period)
The story takes place in the Congo River, Africa during 1898 and 1899 during the peak of colonialism in Africa.
200
Who is Marlow traveling to meet when he arrives in Central Africa?
Mr. Kurtz.
300
In reference to the dying, starving Africans: "They were dying slowly-- (insert m dash pls) it was very clear. They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly now, nothing but black shadows of disease and starvation lying confusedly in the greenish gloom. [...] These moribund shapes were free as air-- and nearly as thin" What language does Conrad use that gives the mood of death and exploitation of the africans?
Conrad uses death, starvation, 'nothing earthly now', and moribun
300
on page 18 what does indissoluble mean in relation to the context “I wouldn't have mentioned the felllow to you at all only it was from his lips that I first heard the name of the man who is so indissolubly connected with the memories of that time. “
What is incapable of being disconnected with his memories.
300
On page 19 paragraph 5, "No use telling you about that. Paths, paths, everywhere; a stamped-in network of paths spreading over the empty land," the story is advanced extremely with this over-arching general statement. How does doing something like this in his story speak to his writing style?
Conrad, through Marlow, only really focuses on details that either would affect Marlow later, or provides mental contemplation/thought. Since this book is largely psychological, extraneous information is largely disregarded.
300
Why was the cliff a disturbing place?( HINT: Think of a war-like setting)
The cliff is a disturbing place for Marlow to witness because it is a place where people are working and explosives are being set off and people are working until they die
300
Why was the station in grave danger?
Mr. Kurtz was ill.
400
"Near the same tree two more bundles of acute angles sat with their led drawn up. One, with his chin propped on his knees, stared at nothing in an intolerable and appealing manner. His brother phantom rested its forehead as if overcome with a great weariness; and all about others were scattered in every pose of contorted collapse, as in some picture of a massacre or a pestilence." What words does Conrad use in this quote to dramatize the image of dying Africans?
Conrad uses 'bundles of acute angles,' and 'phantom brother,' and weariness, and 'contorted collapse" and massacre and pestilence.
400
On page 20: Before running away the natives did this, also known as jibbed.
What is stopped and refused to go on.
400
"My first interview with the manager was curious. He did not ask me to sit down after my twenty-mile walk that morning. He was commonplace in complexion, in features, in manners, and in voice. He was of middle size and of ordinary build. His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainliy could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe. But even at these times the rest of his person seemed to disclain the intention." In the above quote about the Manager, found on page 21 paragraph 3, what the author trying to say about the Manager - through imagery - and what other literary devices does he use?
The manager is described through extensive imagery - every part of his body is described to great detail. Through metaphor, Conrad also is able to make the manager to come across as fierce and brooding - yet, he almost suggests to be using hyperbole as well, when he claims that, that may a bit over the top.
400
What is the negative view towards the setting of the station?
The station is viewed as a chaotic, racist, and uncomfortable place to be in.
400
How did the steamer Marlow was using, sink?
The bottom of the steamer was ripped open by rocks in the shallow water.
500
Conrad uses something to subtly show the slow, decaying death of the man in the accountant's office on pg. 19
The constantly buzzing flies give the image of decaying death.
500
On page 21, paragraph 3: “His eyes of the usual blue were perhaps remarkably cold and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe” if this is a simile comparing a cold look to an axe what does trenchant mean.
What is sharp/having a sharp edge.
500
On page 22 paragraph 3, Marlow meets with the manager. This meeting does a couple things - one of which is that it really stresses the importance of Mr. Kurtz. How? What literary device does he use to describe the manager's uneasiness - are they the same?
What is repetition. Mr. Kurtz is mentioned over 5 times in just that paragraph, stressing his importance to the cause and the manager's concerns over his well being. Also, the managers uneasiness is defined by repetition as Conrad constantly repeats how the manager was nervous to get the point across.
500
What was the major event that took place at the Central station? ( HINT: About Kurtz)
Marlow’s is informed at the central station that Mr. Kurtz, a very important man to the company, is ill.
500
What materials did the Natives use in order to require Ivory?
Manufactured goods, copper wire, and rubbish cottons.