What is the frame story in Heart of Darkness?
In Heart of Darkness, we encounter another “frame narrative,” as we did in Wuthering Heights. That is, the initial narrative frame-story, told by a first narrator (never named) establishes the situation for and “frames” the telling of a second embedded (and the main) story, told by a second and main narrator, Marlow.
What is the structure of Heart of Darkness?
Conrad uses two structural forms in Heart of Darkness, a linear structure, Marlow’s journey towards Kurtz and a circular structure: the narrative begins on the Thames, it takes the reader to Brussels, Africa, back to Brussels and ends on the Thames.
How does the structure of the novel Heart of Darkness contribute to our understanding of the text?
Conrad’s narrative structure enhances the reader’s confusion and aids his point that the horrors of the European atrocities in Africa are so inhumane as to be disorienting.
What is the tone in Heart of Darkness?
The main tone for the majority of the novel is darkness. Marlow often uses the word when he’s talking. For example, he describes their movement into the interior by saying, ‘We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. ‘ It may not be the most subtle way to set tone, but it is very effective.
What does the Congo river symbolize in Heart of Darkness?
It symbolizes the characters’ movement away from civilization as well. The thick vegetation on its edges and the fog the characters encounter on the river help illustrate the increasing darkness as they move towards Kurtz. This helps the overall theme of darkness in the novel.
Why is Kurtz important in heart of darkness?
Heart of Darkness One of the most enigmatic characters in twentieth-century literature, Kurtz is a petty tyrant, a dying god, an embodiment of Europe, and an assault on European values. Kurtz is a dangerous man because he gives the lie to the Company’s “humanistic” intentions in the Congo.
What motivates Marlow in Heart of Darkness?
Thesis: In Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, the main character Marlow is motivated primarily by the incentive to become important like Kurtz and to have power and authority on the Congo river instead of looking at how he grew on the journey; this motivation is similar to students in the modern day world who’s …
What is Marlow’s goal in Heart of Darkness?
He lies to Kurtz’s Intended to save her from a broken heart and ultimately returns to Europe and his home, despite his having been convinced by the Company and Kurtz that civilization is, ultimately, a lie and an institution humans have created to channel their desires for power.
What does the manager symbolize in Heart of Darkness?
Heart of Darkness As Kurtz (in some sense) embodies Europe, the Manager embodies the Company that he represents in the Congo. According to Marlow, the Manager “inspires uneasiness” and tries to use this ability to gain information about Kurtz and his activities from Marlow.
How many parts are there in Heart of Darkness?
three
How are the female characters represented in Heart of Darkness?
In the world of Heart of Darkness, women are second-class citizens at best. They don’t know what goes on out on the water or in the jungle, and for the narrator Marlow and most of the other men of the novel, they don’t need to know – telling women the truth would wreck their innocence and politeness.
How does heart of darkness represent colonialism?
The main reason colonialism occurs in Heart of Darkness is to economically exploit the land in the Congo. The colonists take the ivory and make money off the trade but give back little or nothing of value to the natives that live there and have little regard for the land that might be damaged in the process.
Who is the woman in Heart of Darkness?
The Intended is Kurtz’s fiancée. Marlow goes to visit her after the death of Kurtz. She seems to exemplify Marlow’s earlier statement that women live in their own world. She is naïve to the extreme about Kurtz and about his activities in Africa.
How does Marlow describe the woman?
He describes the woman as a “savage and superb” African woman that was pacing back and forth outside the steamship.