Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. The Nigerian
writer Chinua Achebe has claimed that
Heart of Darkness is
an “offensive and deplorable book” that “set[s] Africa up as a foil
to Europe, as a place of negations at once remote and vaguely familiar, in
comparison with which Europe's own state of spiritual grace will
be manifest.” Achebe says that Conrad does not provide enough of
an outside frame of reference to enable the novel to be read as
ironic or critical of imperialism. Based on the evidence in the text,
argue for or against Achebe's assertion.
2. Discuss
the importance of the Congo River in this narrative. Why does Marlow
travel primarily by boat and seldom on land?
3. Marlow constantly
uses vague and often redundant phrases like “unspeakable secrets”
and “inconceivable mystery.” At other times, however, he is capable
of powerful imagery and considerable eloquence. Why does Marlow
use vague and “inconclusive” language so frequently?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Why does Heart of
Darkness have two competing heroes? Make the case for either
Marlow or Kurtz as the true “hero” of the book.
2. Discuss the framing story
that structures Heart of Darkness. Why is it important
to narrate Marlow in the act of telling his story?
3. Interpret Kurtz's dying words
(“The horror! The horror!”). What do they mean? What are the possible
“horrors” to which he is referring? Why is Marlow the recipient
of Kurtz's last words?
4. Contrast Kurtz's African mistress
with his Intended. Are both negative portrayals of women? Describe
how each functions in the narrative. Does it make any difference
in your interpretation to know that Conrad supported the women's suffrage
movement?
5. Describe the use of “darkness”
both in the book's title and as a symbol throughout the text. What
does darkness represent? Is its meaning constant or does it change?
6. How does physical illness
relate to madness? How does one's environment relate to one's mental
state in this book?
7. Why does Marlow lie to Kurtz's
fiancée about Kurtz's last words? Why not tell her the truth, or
tell her that Kurtz had no last words, rather than affirming her
sentimental and mundane ideas?
