Heart of Darkness Sample Paper
Need to have an MLA style Essay. The 3 page essay will be on excerpts, from “Heart of Darkness” (1899) by Conrad, Joseph.
For the paper, YOU should use the “heart of darkness” reading to develop a paper that answers the questions provided in the close reading draft.
It can carry the form of an essay which flows well and answers the questions in its body.Heart of Darkness Sample Paper
Two files are attached for the essay.
This paper is an essay that explores important themes and topics within the literary novel titled “heart of darkness” which is authored by Joseph Conrad.
- Content Details: What is happening? What is being described? What’s the point of view (Take nothing for granted – be literal)
The novel “heart of darkness” is based around experiences that the author faced while living and working in the African country of Congo (Conrad, 12). The author relays that he encountered numerous challenges, hardships and setbacks while working in Africa, after the Belgian Company he worked for, relocated him to the Congo. Conrad uses darkness in his novel to represent the inherent vices and evils that are present in the human race. In addition, the novel describes the colonization that plagued this country he was living in and how people were constantly exploited against their wish (Ostriker and Mitton, 35).
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Moreover, the novel “heart of darkness” is also centered around the theme of mistreatment, neglect and oppression (Conrad, 15). The author of this novel manages to show the reader that appearances can be deceptive in the sense that the map of the uncharted Africa was unknown to one of the main characters named Marlow (Ostriker and Mitton, 47). However, after much study and travel, they realize that Africa is highly colonized such that it leads to a lot of negative and wayward ramifications for the local citizens. The novel also makes use of dark and light to illustrate the inner state of the society and the members as well.Heart of Darkness Sample Paper For instance, the author lets the reader know that despite Kurtz being a white skinned man, he has one of the darkest personalities and souls in the book. On the contrary, Marlow is a dark-skinned character and yet has one of the brightest personalities as is the case with other African nationals (Ostriker and Mitton, 56). In overall, the novel “heart of darkness” strives to depict that darkness of humanity is present in all places globally and only enlightenment and change can bring in the much needed light.
- Formal Elements: How does the passage work? How do genre, style, tone, structure, and symbolism help it achieve a particular purpose?
This literary novel makes use of a number of formal elements that are fused together to bring out the central theme. To begin with, symbolism the novel takes the form of both characters and intangible items. For instance, Conrad makes use of darkness to symbolize the different aspects of life, human nature and the filth that is embedded in society (Conrad, 21). In addition, darkness also represents the corruption and amorous ways of people in most communities. The use of starred darkness also symbolizes how people easily compromise their morals and ethics at the expense of the well-being of upright individuals (Ostriker and Mitton, 59).
Darkness is also used in reference to the country of Congo, which is an environment filled with both dark people and a dark atmosphere. In fact, the people are described as being darker because their quest and greed for ivory makes them fight, kill, trick and manipulate each other. These behaviors represent darkness and the triumph of evil within a dimly lit country. In terms of setting, the story is told within the Congo, which is an African country (Conrad, 25).
The narrator makes use of an anonymous tone so as to ensure the story is told in an unbiased manner. The genre employed in the novel “heart of darkness” ranges from suspense, fiction, adventure and even psychological tools. The tone and style of writing is quite complex as Conrad embraces a winded approach to tell the story. The combination of all these elements makes the novel interesting and captivating to read.Heart of Darkness Sample Paper
- Knowledge and meaning: What is the significance of the passage in relation to the text as a whole and to broader questions in a field?
The novel “heart of darkness” is written in a difficult tone because the author intentionally wanted the audience to relate with the fighting and war experienced in the Congolese jungle. Moreover, the use of an anonymous narrator is meant to portray all the vices and ills plaguing the society from an impartial perspective. However, the novel does not provide an explicit meaning of war and conflict through the eye of a country (Conrad, 28). Instead, the author goes ahead to use battle and disagreements through a moral and psychological angle. The novel “heart of darkness” attempts to show how the society is ridden and filled with malevolent and immoral acts of slavery, mistreatment, oppression and exploitation (Conrad, 31). These themes are illustrated through the use of hidden knowledge within the novel such that a reader has to be overly keen to decipher the meaning of the symbols and images used by the author.
- Patterns and Themes: How does the passage demonstrate a recurring idea or textual
technique?
The novel “heart of darkness” repeatedly makes use of symbols of darkness and light to show how they both parallel each other. For instance, Conrad shows how the European settlers were light skinned people, yet their inner souls and spirits were as dark as night. On the contrary, the African people living in Congo were dark skinned, yet they were very noble in character and their good will shone like a bright light (Conrad, 31). In addition, the author also used the recurring idea of exploitation and oppression to show how it can easily cripple a robust and thriving society. Conclusively, the novel “heart of darkness” is a powerful literary piece that succeeds in highlighting the innate vices and inequities that plague most societies.Heart of Darkness Sample Paper
Works Cited
Conrad, J. (1899). Heart of Darkness. Press. Print.
Conrad, J. (2010). Heart of darkness. London: Bibliolis Books.
Conrad, J. (2005). Heart of Darkness: And other stories. Ware: Wordsworth Editions.
Ostriker, J. P., & Mitton, S. (2013). Heart Of Darkness: Unraveling The Mysteries Of The Invisible Universe.
03 Conrad – Heart of Darkness(1)
Heart of Darkness Sample Paper