heart of darkness mjwds

Tanisha Wells

MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET

Title: Heart of Darkness
Author: Joseph Conrad
Date of Publication: 1902
Genre: Modern Novella

Biographical Information about the Author

Joseph Conrad was born on December 3, 1857 in Poland. Joseph Conrad’s father was involved in a revolutionary movement of Polish independence and caused the Russian government to keep Conrad’s family from staying in one place for long. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was seven years old and his mother’s brother took him in. After five years Conrad went to France to learn how to sail.
Conrad then traveled to England and became a sailor on British ships for twenty years. In 1889, Conrad began his first novel Almayer’s Folly that was published in 1895. In 1890 Conrad traveled to the Belgian Congo, while he was there he witnessed the exploitation of the natives living there and this served as inspiration for the Heart of Darkness. Conrad then came down with an illness and a misguided persuasion towards imperialism while on the trip. Conrad married Jessie George in 1896 and continued writing until he died in 1924 of a heart attack.

Historical Information about the period of publication

Heart of Darkness was written in 1898 and 1899. At this time Europe was going through social changes. Heart of darkness is characterized by the twentieth century literature period, where tradition was being questioned and imperialism was taking root. The twentieth century literature period actually began in the late nineteenth century, where the Victorian age symbolized weak stability in traditions. Also the idea of imperialism began taking place in Britain and Europe. The public began to be aware of the inhumane and exploitations of imperialism. The Boer War broke out, a struggle between native south Africans and the British imperialists. At the time Conrad was working on his novella as well as Sigmund Freud, who began his work on the id, the ego, and the super ego.

Characteristics of the Genre

The Modern Novella is often characterized by an individual’s experience, conveys inner consciousness, and focus on the universe lack of order and purpose.

Plot Summary

The Heart of Darkness begins on the Thames River, where Marlow and several other men are on a ship. Marlow, a captain with the help of his aunt Brussels gets a job as a boat captain on the river with the Dutch trading company that deals ivory. After getting his assignment Marlow heads to the mouth of the Congo, where he is meet by a Swedish captain who leads him in the inner station a small boat. While there Marlow first lean about Kurtz a trader and a person who is considered the heart of darkness himself. Marlow then travels to the company’s central station and meets the General Manager and later learns that the boat he supposed to be captain over has been ruined and need to be repair. Marlow waits a month for the rivets he need to repair the ship, but while waiting Marlow over hears the Manager and the manager’s uncle talking bad about Kurtz and expressing their hatred against him. Marlow ship is complete and he has employed the help of a group of cannibals, who has refrained from eating anyone in his presence. As the journey to Kurtz station is in drive the ship is attacked by a tribe of Africans, which is believed to have been Kurtz doing because he doesn’t want to leave where he is at. The helmsmen is killed in the attack and Marlow worries about never being able to meet Kurtz and find out the truth, but then Kurtz station is spotted up river and Marlow and the crew is greeted by a Russian. During this time Marlow learns Kurtz is ill and Kurtz has influenced and manipulated a tribe of Africans to get more ivory. While there Kurtz goes crazy and runs for the woods and Marlow finds him and return him back to his bed. Where he gives Marlow some delivery paper and leaves him with his last words “The horror, The horror.” Marlow returns to Europe and delivers the papers and he visits Kurtz fiancé, who seems to not want to know the truth about her husband and wants to be lied to by Marlow. Marlow then lies to her about Kurtz last word and says,’ it was her name instead of telling her the dark truth about her husband.

Describe the author’s style
An example that demonstrates that style

Memorable Quotes
Quotation
Significance

Characters
Name
Role in the Story
Significance
Adjectives

Setting
Significance of opening scene

Significance of ending/closing scene

Symbols

Old AP Questions

Possible Themes