Heart of Darkness Flashcards
What is Marlow described as?
Buddha
Marlow compares the river to what animal?
a snake - it winds like one and is deadly
Marlow becomes the captain of the boat through who’s influence?
his aunt
What do the two knitting women symbolize?
fate
What does the doctor do that is strange?
measure Marlow’s head and ask if he is crazy
What does the mistreatment of the natives foreshadow?
Kurtz
What does the chief think of Kurtz?
he is good at getting ivory
Who are the native most afraid of?
Arab traders of the Sahara
When Marlow gets to the Center Station what does he discover?
the ship sank
What does Marlow feel is the “god” of the Company (what they worship)?
ivory
Why does the brick layer act so friendly to Marlow?
he thinks Kurtz is his friend
What does Marlow feel about the Eldorado Exploration Expedition (EEE)?
they are evil, calls them parasites
What do the Russian uncle & nephew feel about Kurtz?
he makes them look bad and they hope he dies, feel he uses his power poorly
What does the manager feel is absurd about Kurtz’s vision?
Kurtz thinks he can teach them European ways & “humanize“ them
When Marlow says, “I know nothing as to the fate of the less valuable animals”, what does he mean?
he has the most disdain for imperialists - EEE, refers to them as thieves
What do the drums signify?
they (natives) are coming
How did the Europeans pay the cannibals?
with pieces of brass wire
How did they train the helmsmen to operate on the steamer?
they catered to his superstitions - they said an evil spirit is in the boiler and he must put water in to keep the spirit locked up
How does Marlow fight off the natives on the boat?
the steam whistle scared them off
Who died in the attack on the boat?
one of the cannibals and the helmsmen
What is Marlow most terrified about after the attack?
he thinks Kurtz is already dead
While telling the story on the boat why does he stop?
someone lies and they think he is lying - the story is absurd
What characteristics show that Kurtz is not well?
his hair is falling our, he looks thin & gaunt
- because he is suffering he is paying for all the ivory he took
What does Kurtz say in the first part of his report?
you need to approach the natives so they know you are in charge (like their god)
When Marlow goes to read the book, why can’t he?
the notes/code are in Russian
Why does Kurtz threaten to kill the Russian?
he hid the ivory from Kurtz and he felt like it
What decorations are at Kurtz’ house?
human body parts (skulls)
Why did the Company abandon Kurtz?
they don’t need him - he brings negative publicity & his methods are unsound
When Marlow first met Kurtz, why was he scared of him?
he could destroy him & the human body parts
- he’s afraid because he’s crazy & thinks he will kill him
What secret does the Russian reveal about the attack on the steamer?
Kurtz ordered it because he wanted to stay there (with his lover)
When Marlow appeals to Kurts to go back to civilization what does he use?
appeals to his sense of vanity
On the way back (on the steamer) what happens to Marlow?
he gets sick from stress
What about Kurtz makes him good at his job?
he is a genius (but turns to evil intentions)
When Marlow meets the intended what is the mood of the house?
like a funeral
For whom does he lie (to the intended) for?
Kurtz
Who controlled Poland when Conrad was born?
Russia, Prussia, Austria
What 3 languages did Conrad speak?
Polish, English, French
What is the Belgian Congo called now?
Democratic Republic of the Congo
What does King Leopoldo do to keep a monopoly on ivory?
he shot anyone that isn’t Belgian
Why did Conrad want to go to the Congo?
money, to captain, he loved maps, he’s adventurous
When was Conrad born?
1857
Conrad & Dante similarities
both exiled & stages of hell
Why did Conrad stop sailing?
lost income because his uncle died - depended on him
What is a frame story? What is the frame of this particular story? Why did he use it?
A frame story is a story within a story. Marlow tells the story to the narrator on the Thames River. Conrad used it to give backstory.
What did Kurtz’s final words “the horror, the horror” or “exterminate them all” mean.
On the surface, it is Kurtz condemning the natives. But in reality, he may recognize the imperialism the colonists have brought.
Describe similarities between Marlow and Conrad’s real life.
Both experienced imperialism and went to the Congo for money and captaining, both were sailors, and both lived in England.
