Incredibly Helpful Heart of Darkness Guide
(references to HofD p. 31 62)
Be annotating for references to light/dark, haze/mist/fog, the river, death and madness.
Frame story-London p.1-5
1. What is the point of providing a "frame narrator"? How does the presence of this kind of
narrator affect your view of Marlow's authority as a narrator?
2. On page 3, what does the frame narrator say distinguishes Marlow from other sailors?
How is this distinction significant with respect to the adventure that Marlow recounts?
What kind of yarns does he spin? Why is Marlow described as a Buddha (p1, 4)?
3. What does Marlow say about the Roman imperial project on 3-4? How does the Roman
project compare to the Belgian (and British) motivations for seeking an empire?
4. Our narrator says at the end of the first paragraph of page 5 that this would be one of
Marlow’s “inconclusive experiences.” What does this imply about what our expectation
for the resolution of the novel may be?
5. Keep track of references to maps, starting on p5. What significance lies in Marlow's
references to maps? How, for example, do they represent the novella's frequent opposition
between light and "darkness"?
Brussels, Belgium –Getting a Job as Steamboat Captain on the Congo River p5-10
6. Marlow describes a map image of the Congo River in Africa as being like a snake (p6)
and himself as a “silly little bird.” What snake-like qualities does this reference transfer to
the River, and how does the transference set us up for the rest of the novel's events?
7. Marlow meets a pair of women weaving on p8-- to what Classical myths does this scene
appeal, and why would such an appeal be significant in the context of the story as a whole?
Sailing up the African Coast on a French Steamer p10-11
8. On pages 10-11, Marlow starts to describe the coast of Africa. What is his tone & how
does the setting reflect Marlow’s journey (speculate on the foreshadowing)… Consider
what the French man-o-war shelling the jungle says about Europeans versus Africans…
9. On page 11, Marlow also sees native Africans along the shore for the first time. What
qualities does he observe in them, and what seems to be his attitude about those qualities?
Outer Station-p12-16 Company Accountant & first mention of Kurtz
Adapted from Al Drake’s E336: C20 British Literature, Chapman Univ questions
*10. Marlow reaches the Company's Outer Station on p12, and offers us some
observations about this setting. How/why does he describe the old machinery first? What
does he say about the reigning "Devil" in this Outer Station? How does it" differ from
others he knows?
11. Look carefully at the setting on p14-how does Conrad use the motif of light/dark to
convey his point? Then, what becomes the fundamental contrast among the Outer Station
inhabitants dying workers and the smartly dressed Company Accountant?
11.5 Compare descriptions with Dali artwork!
12. KURTZ What is the first description we hear of Kurtz on p15? For what quality or
activity is he praised? How does the praise bring up the novella's frequent oppositions
between light or whiteness and darkness?
Path from Outer Station to Middle Station p16-17
13. Marlow questions if the body of a Negro with a bullethole in his forehead could be
considered a permanent improvement. What is his tone and why would he include this
detail in the midst of his journey between stations? Consider in your answer how he says
later on p17 that he is becoming scientifically interesting b/c of he is mentally changing.
Middle Station p.17-30 Manager & nephew, Brickmaker, El Dorodo Expedition-Waiting
for rivets so can repair boat and sail down to inner station (and pick up sick Kurtz)
14. When Marlow reaches the Central Station on p17, how does he describe nature's
effects on the Station and its inhabitants? What power does the wilderness have over the
Station, and what appears to motivate its occupants? (Hint go back to Q9)
15. KURTZ How is the manager characterized on p.18-19? Why the round table? How
does Marlow feel about the mention about Kurtz-why?
16. Why is there so much chaos in the middle station (p20-21)? Look at light/dark motif
as metaphor here.
17. KURTZ Why has the Brickmaker painted such a sinister portrait of a woman-who
does she represent (p.21-22)? What does he say about Kurtz (p22-23)? Overall how is the
Brickmaker is characterized-what is his role in the novel (20-25)? Note: He cannot make
bricks b/c no supplies, Marlow can’t travel downriver b/c no rivets-foils?
*18. Marlow says that he detests lies (p23end). Does this implied (and elsewhere stated)
preference for truth hold constant in the novella? Does Marlow seem to understand his
own character, or is he at times confused about his interests and beliefs? Explain.
Adapted from Al Drake’s E336: C20 British Literature, Chapman Univ questions
Break back to frame story beginning of p. 24-Why?
19. Contrast descriptions of boilermaker on 26 & El Dorodo Exploring Expedition p27.
II. Why does Chapter II begin here?
20. KURTZ how do the Manager and his nephew reveal their resentment of Kurtz in spite
of that agent's obvious success as an ivory collector (p27-28)? What effect does their
resentment have upon Marlow, who has overheard their conversation?
Traveling down the Congo River to the Inner Station 30-47
21. How does Marlow describe the Congo River and its environment (p30)? How does he
describe his interaction with the River? How does it serve as a metaphor?
Break back to frame story bottom of p30-why?
22. What does Marlow imply is the basis for his ability to respond to the African natives
he observes? To what extent does he here invoke the distinction often made between
nature and culture, primitive and civilized? Does he accept that distinction? (31-33)
Hut found 50 miles below inner station p 33-34
23. Marlow discovers a hut with some firewood and a book. Why does this book impress
him? (p33-34)
Fog & attack on river p35-48
*24. Marlow says that he came to an important realization as he neared Kurtz's Station (top
of 35). What is the realization, and to what extent does it influence or explain his behavior
in the rest of the story?
25. What commentary does Marlow offer on the issue of "restraint" (37-38)? What
accounts for the restraint shown by the natives, and what accounts for the restraint shown
by the Manager?
26. Why do you think the boat gets attacked? How does the helmsmen’s death affect
Marlow (p40-42)?
Bottom of 42-46-reflection on Kurtz (NOTE-this is reflection out of sync of the story)
27. KURTZ Marlow speaks of Kurtz as "a voice" (top 43). Soon thereafter, how does
Marlow's manner of relating his story change? What seems to be the reason for his
fascination with Kurtz' voice?
Adapted from Al Drake’s E336: C20 British Literature, Chapman Univ questions
Break back into frame story middle of 43. Why?
28. KURTZ how does Marlow describe the partially completed report that Kurtz penned
before lapsing into his fatal illness (p45)? Why does it end with the phrase “Exterminate
all the brutes!”? What effect does that report have on Marlow?
29. How/why does Marlow link Kurtz with the dying Helmsmen on bottom of 46?
The Inner Station (bottom of 47-62) & sailing away (62-64)
*30. KURTZ Marlow meets a Russian devotee of Kurtz. What view of Kurtz does the
Russian set forth? How does he differ from Kurtz? Is he a foil? (48-51)
Beginning of III p 50-Why here?
31. KURTZ Marlow sees the "symbolic" skulls lining Kurtz's hut (p52-53)? What
reflections do those skulls lead Marlow to make regarding the nature of Kurtz' downfall in
the wilderness?
32. KURTZ How does your Marlow’s first view of Kurtz reinforce and contradict what he
has learned about him so far (p54-55)?
33. KURTZ The travelers meet Kurtz' mistress (bottom p55-56). Does her presence affect
their (or your) understanding of Kurtz? If so, how?
34. Marlow recognizes the corruption around him-what is it from (p57)? He then learns
that Kurtz ordered the attack on the boat & is a poet (p58)-what does this say about the
man?
35. Compare bottom of 58-64 with Apocalypse Now clip
36. KURTZ What does Kurtz say in his final illness(p63-64)? What, if anything, does
Marlow learn from Kurtz? How does he interpret Kurtz's phrase "the horror, the horror"?
What is symbolic about Kurtz then blowing out the candle?
Back to Brussels, Belgium and then London
37. KURTZ Kurtz finally passes away, and, at the text's conclusion, Marlow decides to
visit Kurtz's "Intended," or fiancee. How does the setting reflect his final ideas (p68)?Why
does Marlow lie to her about Kurtz's last words? Does his lie reflect any insight he has
gained from his trip up the Congo and to "the Heart of Darkness"? Explain.
*Questions to revisit at the end of your reading
Adapted from Al Drake’s E336: C20 British Literature, Chapman Univ questions