Katherine R.

Dahang
BEED - III
Ms. Kim Jaudian
September 16, 2020

TLA 1: a) Research the author of Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad. Create a

timeline of the most important and relevant events of Conrad’s life as it relates to the
events in the story. After completing the timeline for Joseph Conrad, complete the
other side of the timeline graphic organizer below with any parallel events from
the story as you read. You may complete the timeline in the space provided below:

1890 - 32-year-old Conrad sailed the Congo
River while serving as second-in-command
on a Belgian trading company steamboat. As
a career seaman, Conrad explored not only
the African continent but also ventured to
places ranging from Australia to India to
South America.
• Charles Marlow a ferry boat captain
who was hired by a Belgian trading
company to travel into the Congo in
an attempt to transport ivory
downriver. Marlow spends 6 years
at sea, then comes back to London
and gets bored

1891 - Conrad returns to England, where he • Illness claimed Kurtz, an ivory

is hospitalized January 1891 Conrad joins
the Torrens, making four journeys as first
mate November 1891.
1894 - Conrad returns to London from ship
in France January 1894 Conrad meets
Edward Garnett October 1894.
trader who has gone mysteriously
insane. It nearly claimed Marlow.
And these two characters almost
never existed, owing to their
creator’s health troubles.

b) conduct some research about the following:

1) King Leopold II
• French in full Léopold-Louis-Philippe-Marie-Victor, Dutch in
full Leopold Lodewijk Filips Maria Victor, (born April 9, 1835,
Brussels, Belgium—died December 17, 1909, Laeken), king of the
Belgians from 1865 to 1909. Keen on establishing Belgium as an
imperial power, he led the first European efforts to develop the Congo
River basin, making possible the formation in 1885 of the Congo Free
State, annexed in 1908 as the Belgian Congo and now the Democratic
 Republic of the Congo. Although he played a significant role in the
development of the modern Belgian state, he was also responsible for
widespread atrocities committed under his rule against his colonial
subjects.

2) Kingdoms of the Congo

• The Kingdom of Kongo was a large kingdom in the western part of
central Africa. The name comes from the fact that the founders of the
kingdom were KiKongo speaking people, and the spelling of Congo with
a C comes from the Portuguese translation. Kingdom was founded
around 1390 CE through the political marriage of Nima a Nzima, of the
Mpemba Kasi, and Luqueni Luansanze, of the Mbata, which cemented
the alliance between the two KiKongo speaking peoples. The Kingdom
would reach its peak in the mid 1600s. The Kingdom of Kongo would
eventually fall to scheming nobles, feuding royal factions, and the Trans-
Atlantic slave trade, initiating its eventual decline.

3) Scramble for Africa

• European powers were slow to realise the benefits of claiming land in
Africa but when one or two started the rest did not want to miss out. In
1884–5 the Scramble for Africa was at full speed. Thirteen European
countries and the United States met in Berlin to agree the rules of
African colonisation. From 1884 to 1914 the continent was in conflict as
these countries took territory and power from existing African states and
peoples.The Europeans called Africa the ‘Dark Continent’ because it
was unknown to them. This got mixed up with the more sinister idea of
‘Darkest Africa’ a place where the inhabitants were savage and brutal.
Europeans, after the industrial revolution, considered industrial towns
and technology to be signs of civilisation.

4) Ivory Industry
• Tusks are adapted incisors (front teeth) that keep growing throughout an
elephant’s life. Elephants rely on their tusks to dig for roots and water,
hold grass in place when eating, strip bark off trees and to battle other
elephants or protect their young. Insatiable human greed for these
‘teeth’, which are made into ivory trinkets and jewelry, has seen
elephants killed on a daily basis throughout Africa with many
disappearing altogether from some parts of the continent. As populations
of elephants dwindle, criminals get rich on the killing. The ivory trade is
fueling organized crime and insecurity as traffickers smuggle tusks
through the same networks as other high value illegal goods. Ultimately
the trade is driven by demand for ivory in consumer countries, mostly in
the Far East, where it is sought after as a status symbol and an
investment.
 TLA 2: Character Analysis Activity
For each character listed below, complete the graphic organizer. You should include
at least 3 quotes that define the character’s personality, at least 5 words of your
choosing to describe the character’s personality, and an image of what you think the
character might look like. Be sure to include the page number for each quote you
provide.

“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the

taking it away from those who have a different
complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not
“We
a pretty must
thing whenhelpyou
them to into
look stayitintoo
thatmuch.”
beautiful
Pg.world
3 of
their own, lest ours gets worse,” Pg. 115
“The reaches opened before us and closed behind, as if
“Dark
the forest human
had shapes
stepped could across
leisurely be made theout” Pg. to
water 131bar
the way for our return. We penetrated deeper and deeper
“dusk
into the heartofofthe thickets before
darkness.” Pg. 32 she disappeared” Pg. 133

"When the sun rose there was a white fog, very warm
and clammy, and more blinding than the night." Pg. 35
The protagonist of Heart of
Darkness. Marlow is  Very open
 Curious  Polite
 Adventurous  Humble
 Skeptical
 Realistic
 Open-minded

“It was a distinct glimpse: the dugout, four paddling

savages, and the lone white man turning his back
suddenly on the headquarters, on relief, on thoughts of
home—perhaps; setting his face towards the depth of
the wilderness, towards his empty and desolate
station.” Pg. 28

“his covering had fallen off, and his body emerged

from it pitiful and appalling as from a winding sheet. I
could see the cage of his ribs all astir, the bones of his
arms waving” Pg. 55

“I was within a hair's-breadth of the last opportunity

 Ambitious for pronouncement, and I found with humiliation that
 Charismatic probably I would have nothing to say. This is the
 Greedy reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man.
 Eloquence He had something to say. He said it. "The horror!" He
 Enigmatic was a remarkable man.” Pg. 65
 “ I tell you,” he cried, “this man has enlarged my
mind” Pg. 53

“So many accidents happen to a man going about

alone you know. Canoes get upset sometimes - and
sometimes you've got to clear out so quick when the
people get angry.” Pg. 81

“At first old Van Shuyten would tell me to go to the

devil,' he narrated with keen enjoyment; 'but I stuck
to him, and talked and talked, till at last he got afraid
I would talk the hind-leg off his favorite dog, so he
 Idealistic explorer gave me some cheap things and a few guns, and told
 Humble me he hoped he would never see my face again.” Pg.
 Admirable 61
 Devoted
 Naive

“This fair hair, this pale visage, this pure brow, seemed
surrounded by an ashy halo from which the dark eyes
looked out at me. Their glance was guileless, profound,
confident, and trustful” Pg. 95

“We must help them to stay in that beautiful world of

their own, lest ours gets worse” Pg. 61

“Yes! I am proud to know I understood him better than

any one on earth—he told me so himself” Pg. 96

 Devoted
 Idealistic
 Gullible
 Loving
 Admirable
 "What a frightful row," he said. He crossed the room
gently to look at the sick man, and returning, said to me,
"He does not hear." "What! Dead?" I asked, startled. "No,
not yet," he answered, with great composure. Then
alluding with a toss of the head to the tumult in the
station-yard, "When one has got to make correct entries,
one comes to hate those savages—hate them to the
death." Pg. 86

"I met a white man, in such an unexpected elegance of

get-up that in the first moment I took him for a sort of
vision. I saw a high starched collar, white cuffs, a light
 Meticulous alpaca jacket, snowy trousers, a clean necktie, and
 Annoying varnished boots. No hat. Hair parted, brushed, oiled,
 Superior under a green-lined parasol held in a big white hand. He
 Perfectionist was amazing, and had a penholder behind his ear." Pg. 84
 Ambitious
When one has got to make correct entries, one comes to
hate those savages—hate them to the death. Pg. 19

"I authorize you to take all the risks."

“Hate them to the death.' He remained thoughtful for

a moment. 'When you see Mr. Kurtz' he went on, 'tell
him from me that everything here' -- he glanced at the
deck -- 'is very satisfactory. I don't like to write to
him -- with those messengers of ours you never know
who may get hold of your letter -- at that Central
Station.' He stared at me for a moment with his mild,
bulging eyes. 'Oh, he will go far, very far,' he began
again. 'He will be a somebody in the Administration
 Greedy before long. They, above -- the Council in Europe,
 Crude you know -- mean him to be.' Pg. 85
 Hollow
 Coward
 Ambitious
TLA 3: Literary Elements :While reading find examples of the following literary
elements:

Another obvious implication of a

primitive and savage culture using
language, which gives the reader the
illusion of wilderness, is the author's
use of the word cannibals. By using
the word cannibal the author implies a
savage and uncivilized race, since
both the word and the act are abrasive.

• Dark Imagery is present in the

description of the settings.

• From the beginning of

Marlow’s story, it can see
dark clouds hanging over the
Thanes as night falls.

In Conrad’s work the idea is that

there is little difference between
civilized people and those
described as savages. Heart of
darkness implicitly comments on
imperialism and racism.
Assessment

Quote Analysis Activity

Choose only 1
For each quote provided, write a brief analysis. Your analysis should include what
you believe the author, Joseph Conrad, intended to say by writing this; what the social
implication or connotative meaning of the quote is, apart from Conrad’s intentions;
and how you have come to your conclusion. To defend your analysis, you may
reference parts things you may have learned in your own independent research, or any
other reliable source of information.

2. “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who
have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty
thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the
back of it; not a sentimental pretense but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea–
something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to. . . .”

Conrad's Heart of Darkness is without question a damning critique of the

horrendous suffering inflicted on the populations of colonized nations by their rulers,
both sovereign and corporate. Yet the novella, which depends greatly on a skillfully
drawn ambiance of menace in its African setting, is mainly focused on the mysterious
fate of a highly-regarded agent of an ivory-trading company named Kurtz. Although
Conrad suggests the ravages of colonial practices through the spectacle of diseased
and chained laborers and an incident of torture, his portrayal of suffering remains
intentionally vague in comparison with the reality he and his friend, humanitarian
Roger Casement, are known to have witnessed in the Belgian Congo. This may be
attributed to the conventional racism of that era, as well as possible fear of reprisals if
his descriptions were more explicit.
So stated Marlow as though this was his justification for ravaging the Congo in
his search for ivory. Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness shows the disparity between
the European ideal of civilization and the reality of it as is evidenced by the
domination, torture, exploitation and dehumanization of the African population.
Heart of Darkness is indicative of the evil and greed in humanity as personified by
Kurtz and Marlow. These emissaries of light are shown to be crude, sordid and
violent. so too Kurtz and Marlow’s journey into Africa is an unveiling of their inner
darkness which we are all afraid to face. Like Grenouille, in Perfume and Victor
Frankenstein, Kurtz sought power, adoration and godlike status both among his
European counterparts and the native Africans. Just as Grenouille bottled and
collected special fragrances so too Kurtz collected human heads displaying them
around his hut as trophies. Kurtz’s journey into Africa, as well as his inner journey,
can be likened to Grenouille’s hibernation in the cave for seven years or Victor’s
search for his monster across the icy slopes. During this period each individual
underwent a transformation and a realization of the horrors they have created.
So what is this idea that justifies their actions? It seems that the only idea present
is the acquisition of wealth through the procurement of ivory. And if this is the case
and the desire for wealth is the idea behind the conquest, how could the belief in this
idea be unselfish? His justifications are feeble and in light of the rest of the story, do
not hold much weight. Nevertheless, his justifications are interesting because they
represent a general attitude of the time that if something was there, it was anyone’s for
the taking. It also reflects the racism and general misunderstanding and disregard for
the African culture, specifically the culture and people of the Congo.

Sources:
• Review of Youth, in Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, edited by D.C.R.A.
Goonetilleke, Broadview Press, 1999, pp. 169–70, originally published in the
Times Literary Supplement (London), No. 48, December 12, 1902, p. 372.

• Garnett, Edward, ‘‘Mr. Conrad’s New Book,’’ in Heart of Darkness, by Joseph

Conrad, edited by D.C.R.A. Goonetilleke, Broadview Press, 1999, pp. 163–64,
originally published in Academy and Literature, December 6,1902, pp. 606–607.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Look for one country outside of Africa that also experiences the same events
happened/portrayed in the novella of Joseph Conrad.

Things Fall Apart, a novel set in Pre-colonial Nigeria in the 1890s highlights the
fight between colonialism and traditional societies. Numerous features of an
organized society such as religion, codes of governance, a monetary system, artistic
traditions, a judicial systems, codes of conducts etc. are posited against a society
without a modern European government. The absence of government above tribes and
villages made the people vulnerable to colonization. However, the imposition of a
State to organize the society might not be the absolute model.
Conrad's Heart of Darkness presents nearly the same theme. He also tracks the
habits and practices of the naive natives in the 'heart of darkness' who are subjected to
colonial exploitation. However, Conrad is not a racist as he is accused to be by
Achebe. Underlying his depiction of the native culture vis-a-vis colonial civilization
which is apparently superior from the European perspective, Conrad does not wish
not wish the unperturbed and fatalist life fritter away at the onslaught of Western
colonialism.
I see more dissimilarities than similarities. Things Fall Apart works like a
historical novel (Lukacs), with its sights on the cultural revolution in the offing, and
represents character in letting the sequence unfold. In The Heart of Darkness, on the
other hand, narrative attention is focused more on the characters themselves,
observing, commenting, assessing. They are the ones acting and shaping events. In
Achebe's work, the event taking place is bigger than the individual: it is being drawn
into the sequence that the individual fills out.
I would say that both short novels are remarkable for being unromantic in
their portraits of things others only view through the lens of ideology. In Heart of
Darkness, Marlow describes not just the Congo, but also the European society that
cannot face the atrocities it has inflicted on distant people. In Things Fall Apart, we
do not find—as many would depict it—an edenic innocent world in the pre-colonial
African society. We see one that may be harmonious, but only because it is agreed on
marginalizing outcastes, allowing men to beat women, fighting pointless if limited
tribal wars, and killing twins. The disruption caused by the Europeans results in part
because the bad parts of that society, as well of the good parts, are imperiled by their
influence.