HEART OF DARKNESS DIRECTED READING

As you read Heart Of Darkness pay close attention to and take notes on the following:

1. The setting, with a focus on the setting at the beginning of the novel and on Marlow's description and insights on the Belgian Congo (the dark heart of Africa).

2. Each of the three main characters in the story-Marlow, Kurtz, and the Intended-and how each character clearly represents a different point of view on the nature of the world and on the meaning of life.

3. The ways that Marlow and Kurtz are both changed internally by their experiences in the jungle.

4. The women in the story-the Intended, the African woman, the two women knitting at the Company headquarters, and Marlow's aunt-and how these women develop the themes of the novel.

5. Marlow's compassion for the helmsman.

6. How the Russian at the Inner Station and Kurtz add meaning to the story that otherwise would be lacking. (Think of the Russian as a foil to Kurtz).

7. The impact of the multiple levels of narrative employed.

8. The importance of irony and foreshadowing on the development of the plot.

9. The use of imagery to reinforce the themes of the novel.

10. The themes of the novel and how each theme is presented and supported.

Open Questions & Answers Period 5

You are each responsible for posting a question you may have about the novel and/or replying to a question posted. Please be clear when posing a question and please use supporting evidence (page #'s) when answering.

Open Question & Answer Period 9

You are each responsible for posting a question you may have about the novel and/or replying to a question posted. Please be clear when posing a question and please use supporting evidence (page #'s) when answering.