Major Works Data Sheet for Heart of Darkness
1. Neatness and completeness will be important factors in the grade. For each day late, I will deduct 10 points, and for each partial day, I will deduct 5 points.
2. No more than 4/5 people may work on a major works data sheet. If you prefer to work alone, you will not receive extra credit for doing all the work yourself. Learn to say no if you know that by working with a particular group you will do the majority of the work.
3. I strongly suggest that you begin by determining the themes.
4. Your Major Works Data Sheet information must fit in the designated boxes. Even though I urge you to create your “boxes” in your word processor—the general format must remain the same. Do not use a font size smaller than a 9.
5. Significance means how something relates to the meaning of the work as whole—particularly theme.
Page 1
1. Heart of Darkness is a modern novella by Joseph Conrad published in 1902.
2. I am giving you the information for the “Biographical Information.” The “Historical Information” may come from your notes on my lecture and/or you may use any other reliable source.
3. The plot summary must be thorough and in your own words. If I discover that you have copied a plot summary from some other source, you will receive a 50 on this assignment.
4. “Characteristics of the Genre”—The modern novella often illuminates individual experience, conveys inner consciousness, and focuses on the mystery of the universe, its lack of order and purpose.
Page 2
1. “Describe the author’s style”—use the following statement: The complexity of Conrad’s language is often characterized by balanced phrases and parallel structures. He interrupts his narrative with long, poetic descriptions of natural scenes. Although sometimes criticized for his verbosity, his word choice, phrasing, and length of sentence, these characteristics tend to elevate his prose to the level of eloquence.
2. You are to find an example from the text for the block “that demonstrates the style.” [include the page number]
3. You must have eight memorable quotes—type them and avoid the ellipsis and include the page number. Most people lose points here in the significance column—it is not where the quote occurs—it discusses what it means and how it connects to the meaning of the work as a whole.
Page 3
1. Include the following characters on this page:
Ø Marlow
Ø Kurtz
Ø Accountant
Ø Cannibals
Ø Marlow’s aunt
Ø Kurtz’s mistress
Ø General Manager
Ø General Manager’s Uncle
Ø Doctor in Brussels
Ø Harlequin Russian
Ø Kurtz’s Intended
Ø The helmsman
2. Remember to distinguish between the “role in story” which deals with the plot and “significance” which deals with the meaning of the work.
3. You should have two descriptive adjectives for each character.
Page 4
1. In the “Setting” block type the following:
The setting begins on the Nellie, a ship at anchor in the Thames River in London. While anchoring there, Marlow tells his companions on the Nellie a narrative about his adventures as a riverboat captain on the Congo River sometime in the past. The Congo story is preceded and followed by a visit to Brussels, Belgium, the headquarters for the ivory company that hires him.
2. Please include highlights from the information that I give you in class in the “significance of the Opening Scene” block.
3. In the “Significance of the Ending/closing scene,” write three sentences in response to the following:
¨ How does Marlow respond to Brussels when he returns there after his Congo experience?
¨ What does Marlow do when he visits the Intended? Why does he go?
¨ What effect has Marlow’s narrative had on his listeners on the Nellie?
4. Choose all of the following and explain how they function as symbols in Heart of Darkness. I may add more.
¨ Color symbolism: white, black, yellow
¨ Kurtz’s oil painting
¨ Heads on the poles around Kurtz’s hut
¨ Ivory
¨ Jungle
¨ Rivets
¨ sunshine
5. In the “Possible Themes” block, write three (3) possible themes. Remember that “good vs. evil” is not a theme and neither is “racism.” Themes must be stated in complete sentences, reflect some lesson that is learned from the work, and is not character specific or stated as a cliché.
6. In the block “Old AP Questions,” you should type the following: (71, 76, 91, 94, 96, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 06, 09, 10, 11)