AP Literature: Heart of Darkness Test Review

Analogy between the British and Roman Empires

-they both tried to Conquer barbaric areas and civilize the nations they came in contact with

-the good and bad river

-Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Franklin went out to conquer lands for the british empire vs what the company men are doing in Congo

What insights do we gain about Marlow's character based on his suggestions about the exploitation of the natives by the colonizers?

-he cares more about the affects it has on the colonizers than the natives

-he worries about the affect it has on their minds

-the natives are in need of enlightenment

How does the narrator prepare the reader for ambiguity?

-we never really know Kurtz until the end of the novel although he is a central character

-he also asks rhetorical types of questions

-two narrators

-language that is ambiguous

The phrase "sleepless river" is an example of what type of literary device/figure of speech?

personification

Be familiar with why Conrad uses concrete imagery of physical details (to contrast what?) .

-Light vs. Dark

-Europeans vs. Africans

-Congo vs. Thames River

-Interior vs. Exterior motifs

Be familiar with Conrad's use of irony and satire.

-the Europeans become savages rather than the natives

-beautiful on the outside but death and decay on the inside (white sepulchre)

-painting: she is blind folded but holding the torch

Be able to explain Marlow's view of women and their role in the world.

-Marlow believes them to be lower class citizens in comparison to men; typical 19th century view on women

-believes that they are there to keep men "in-line"

-moral support for men, they are out of touch with reality

-fragile and cannot cope with real world

The chief accountant provides comic relief how?

-he looks completely out of place in the Congo with his dress attire

-maintains "equanimity" in animus environment

Why does Marlow "admire" the chief accountant?

-Marlow believes he is a "miracle"

-maintains sangfroid in hostile territory

-he doesn't yield to his barbaric environment

The only defense people have against the destructive power of darkness is __________?

-their character

Why is the helmsman an improved specimen?

-he was able to work and learned the skills necessary for operating the steamer

-he is able to focus on work

How is Kurtz's character revealed by his attitude toward ivory?

-he cares more about the ivory than he does the company

-his rapacity conflicts with his morals to the point of abandoning his intended and killing many people to acquire wealth and power

-he believes that he should be treated like a god

Why does Marlow believe the key to Kurtz's downfall is found in the first paragraph of Kurt's pamphlet?

-he expects that they will treat him like a god

-his pride and greed lead him to his downfall

-"International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs"

Why is the phrase "Exterminate all the brutes" startling in its particular context?

-the tone changed because at the beginning of the pamphlet states his primary goal had been to "civilize" the brutes, but in reality he had sought to ruin them

Be familiar with symbols like light and dark, white worsted, etc.

-Europeans and Africans

-(around the natives neck) the collar

-it's another mystery, Marlow could not figure out why he had it around his neck and what it symbolized

-the intended wearing black whilst she is pale

Why do Kurtz's final words represent a victory?

-a realization that Kurtz had when he was dying

-recognition of the horror of humanity

-victory because he had said it

-"The horror, the horror!"

Be familiar with how Conrad uses paradox

Page 5- "He [Marlow] was the only man of us who still 'followed the sea'... He was a seaman, but a wanderer too, while most seamen lead, if one may so express it, a sedentary life"

- This quote basically defines Marlow as a paradox in the way that he is a wanderer as well as a seaman, and seamen tend to have 'a sedentary life'. This paradox gives the reader insight on what Marlow will be like further into the story, and it sets up his latter actions.

Page 9- "[Marlow's experience was] not very clear. And yet it seemed to throw a kind of light."

- This statement is an example of how Marlow often talks in paradoxes. It almost prepares the reader to pay more attention to what is being said so as not to get confused by the use of language

Be familiar with how Conrad uses metaphor

-Comparing of Human and Brutes

Point of View

-Marlow and the narrator at times

Write an essay examining how Conrad uses structure to convey mystery. You will need to address how point of view and figurative language contribute to tone and/or mood.

-We see through the frame story, the anonymous reader

-He uses metaphors, symbolism, satire.

Write an essay exploring how Marlow and the Intended converse without actually communicating. Explain how author's use of diction helps convey ambiguity.

-Marlow tells a lie to her-to protect her innocence and

-He asks many questions and doesn't provide answers, shows that there is a lot of mystery.

Tone

Ambivalent: Marlow is disgusted at the brutality of the Company and horrified by Kurtz's degeneration, but he claims that any thinking man would be tempted into similar behavior.

Why did Marlow admire Kurtz

-Because when he had things to say, he said them

-Very forthcoming in attitude

Symbol of Fog?

-Fog is a sort of corollary to darkness

-Not only obscures but distorts:

-It gives one just enough information to begin making decisions but no way to judge the accuracy of that information, which often ends up being wrong