Thoughts on Achebe's Criticism

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 book to be read as ironic or critical of imperialism. Based on the evidence in the text (novella or article), argue for or against Achebe's assertion.  Is Conrad a racist?  Is the book worthy of study?

Heart of Darkness Text Discussion

Please consider the following questions about Heart of Darkness.

• Choose ONE question and provide a thoughtful reply (include the question number in your response). 
• Reply to a fellow student with thoughtful response.
• Worth 20 points, due 10/29 11:59pm

1. Explain why Marlow describes the choice between loyalty to Kurtz or the manager as "a choice of nightmares," and why Marlow chooses Kurtz who is outwardly the more evil of the two.
2. What does Kurtz mean by "The horror! The horror!" 
3. How is Kurtz a "hollow man"? 
4. What is the "heart of darkness"? 
5. Discuss Conrad's use of narrative parallels including the Roman and Belgian invasions, the mistress and the intended, and Kurtz and Marlow. 
6. Discuss Conrad's use of "impressionistic" techniques such as purposely obscuring details and the use of light and dark imagery and symbolism to achieve a more profound sense of truth. (Impressionism is a theory or style of painting that developed in France during the 1870's, characterized chiefly by concentration on the general impression produced by a scene or object and by the use of unmixed primary colors and small strokes to simulate actual reflected light. As a literary style, impressionism is characterized by the use of details and mental associations to evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than recreate objective reality.) 
7. "Every soul has its dark and light truth-potential for degradation or nobility. The strongest barrier to this degradation is a previous commitment to faith and responsibility." Discuss this quote as Conrad uses it and as it applies to our world. 

Human Nature and Evil

Well, now you've had some time to read Heart of Darkness and consider some of the themes in the book.

In class, we broke-down and discussed "The Tiger" poem by William Blake.  We talked a lot about whether the tiger is evil or not, and how humans are alike and different than tigers in that aspect.  Please note that a mark-up of this poem is one of your assignments before Thursday.

We also talked a little about Freud.  I'll include a screenshot of the board during this discussion:

If you're not familiar with Freud's theories of ID, Ego, and Superego, give it a quick look-up.  Think about how you would compare these concepts to the characters that you've met in Heart of Darkness.

For this post (and reply), please consider your thoughts on the inherent nature of mankind.  Also consider the characters in the story (including the native Africans) and share your thoughts on this topic, using examples from life and the novella.

Post a thoughtful reply to the initial post and TWO thoughtful replies to other students.  All three posts must be complete by 10/17 11:59pm.

Welcome to Heart of Darkness.  Before we talk about the book itself, I'd like for you to consider a few questions.

Classroom students - This assignment is NOT for you (unless you really want to jump in).  We had this discussion in class already.

For 20 points, please respond thoughtfully to a question of your choosing from BOTH group 1 and group 2.  Also, please reply to two other students' original posts. (A total of four replies from you.)

Group 1 Questions - Pick ONE and reply to this post

• I would be willing to cheat on a test if I knew I wouldn't get caught and the teacher's tests were unreasonably difficult.
• I would be willing to spread a false rumor about someone I didn't respect.
• I believe I am superior to some people.
• Who do you have power over?  How do you use it?
• Who has power over you?  How do they use it?
• I would be willing to pay someone less than minimum wage if they were dumb enough to work for less.
• I would be willing to steal from someone I had no respect for.
• If I borrowed something from someone and they forgot about it, I would keep it if I really wanted it.

Group 2 Questions - Pick ONE and reply to this post

• American business is justified in underpaying foreign workers if it keeps the price down for its citizens.
• America has the right to intervene in other sovereign countries to protect its economic interests.
• America is the greatest nation in the world; other nations should defer to our wisdom.
• Do our schools foster egalitarianism or divisions and elitism, winners and losers?

On top of these two original post replies, remember to reply to two other students to earn full credit.  You should have a total of four replies by 11:59pm 10/10.