Warm-up: Holiday Debriefing

• Turn to your neighbor and tell them about your holiday break.(2 minutes)–Travel adventures–Family stories–Santa’s visit–Resolutions

What’s in a Name?

• Writers’ choices of titles often have great significance:– “Hunters in the Snow”–The Awakening

• Complete the web on the following slide in the warm-up section of your binder (you may consult a neighbor).

• Be prepared to share responses.

What’s in a Name?

• What words or images come to

mind when you “hear” the words

“heart” and “darkness”?• What words or images are

associated with the

words (think about

HLP)?Heart of

Darkness

Introduction to HOD

• Heart of Darkness can be read

on three levels:– As a mystery story, a story of the mystery of

character (especially the true character of Kurtz).–As an adventure story, the story of an African

journey which the narrator, Marlow, takes in his quest to meet the legendary Kurtz.

– Above all, the record of a descent into the center and into the darkness at the core of existence.

Introduction to HOD

• To understand Conrad, we

need to look at some of the

traditional symbols he uses.–A journey–The jungle–Darkness and the color black–Light and the color white

A Journey

• In literature, physical journeys are often used to represent intellectual, emotional, or spiritual searches

The Jungle

• While the term “jungle” is often used in everyday speech to represent the world of business, commerce, or daily life itself, in a larger sense, “jungle” also represents that which is unknown because it is deep, dark, and difficult to penetrate.

• In this regard, critics suggest that in this story the “jungle” symbolizes truth and/or reality. In this story, the “heart of darkness” is found deep in the jungle.

Darkness and the color Black

• Traditionally, these symbolize the unknown, the difficult to penetrate, the foreboding, and, most frequently, evil.

Light and the colorWhite

• Traditionally, symbolizes that

which is plainly seen or goodness, the opposite of evil.

• They also can represent that which is hollow, phony, or spiritually void of substance.

• In the Bible, the word “pale” is also used to suggest or represent death. When this word appears toward the end of the novel to describe Kurtz’s fiancée, its interpretation is of importance.

Process Time!

• Talk to your neighbor about where you have seen these symbols in movies you watched over the holidays (or anytime).

Introduction to HOD: Chapter One

• Continue your HOD packet…• Write your name on a sheet of paper.• Turn horizontally (side-ways); red margin

at the top.• Divide into eight columns• Label: Light, Dark Kurtz, Rivets, Women,

Imperialism, Chapter, Page #.

Introduction to HOD: Chapter One

• Begin reading HOD.• Stop right after the narrator’s complicated

metaphor/simile contrasting Marlow’s stories with ordinary sailor stories (middle).

• Look for examples of Darkness and Light, the role of women, and Imperialism.

Introduction to HOD:Chapter One

• Answer the following questions about Chapter 1.• Where is the Nellie? Who are the 5 people lounging on her deck? Who’s telling

the story?• Marlow describes the first Romans’ experiences in Britain—what were they like?• What does Marlow think of colonization?• Who tells the “story within a story”?• What is the mood established here in the beginning?• What does Marlow find especially fascinating? What is the continent he’s going

to? What river?• Who helps Marlow find a job with the ivory company?• What does Marlow think of women?• What became of Fresleven, Marlow’s predecessor?• What simile does Marlow use to describe the river? What does this

foreshadow?