Heart of Darkness Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does M overhear the Uncle and Nephew saying about Kurtz?

His influence is frightful; he is alone.

What did Kurtz do that was considered mysterious?

Paddled 300 miles then turned back by himself with 4 savage paddlers.

How long did it take M to make it to Kurtz?

2 months.

What did M say about the trip to the inner station?

"Going up that river was like travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world." Signup and view all the answers

What kind of savages were his crew?

Cannibals that ate rotten hippo meat instead of each other. Signup and view all the answers

Who else was on board with M?

Manager and 4 pilgrims. Signup and view all the answers

What did M tell his fireman so that he would keep the boiler going?

If the water in the boiler ever disappears, the evil spirit inside will take revenge. Signup and view all the answers

What does the steamship come upon on the trip?

A dismantled hut with a neat wood pile and a note that said 'wood for you. Hurry up. Approach cautiously.' Signup and view all the answers

What is found in the corner of the dismantled hut?

A book about seamanship with notes in cipher (actually Russian). Signup and view all the answers

What happens right after the crew realizes the thick fog they're in?

They are under attack, being shot at with poisonous arrows. Signup and view all the answers

Who is killed in the attack and how?

Savage helmsman (steerer) is hit with a spear between the ribs after he goes to the shutter and bleeds out at M's feet. Signup and view all the answers

What does M do with the helmsman's body and why does this upset the crew?

Takes the spear out and tosses him overboard; savages wanted to eat him. Signup and view all the answers

What does M do after the attack before he can do anything else?

Change his bloody shoes. Signup and view all the answers

What scared the attackers off?

M blowing the steam whistle. Signup and view all the answers

What does M realize about the motivation behind his trip?

This whole time he's been waiting to meet Kurtz and if he is dead when he gets there, he'll be very disappointed. Signup and view all the answers

What is Kurtz' biggest gift?

Talking. Signup and view all the answers

What was ominous about Kurtz' report for the International Society of Suppression of Savage Customs?

A footnote scrawled in unsteady hand read 'exterminate all the brutes' and says that the whites must portray themselves to the savages as supernatural deities so that they will obey them. Signup and view all the answers

What was Kurtz' background?

Mom half English; dad half French; educated in English. Signup and view all the answers

Who did M have a special bond with on the steamship?

The helmsman. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the steamship greeted by when they arrive at the inner station?

An enthusiastic man who resembles a harlequin. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the man resemble a harlequin?

Clothes are patched with bright, colorful patches; very animated; expressions like autumn. Signup and view all the answers

How does the harlequin feel about the attack?

Says they meant no harm and are very simple people; says they only attacked because they don't want Kurtz to go. Signup and view all the answers

Who stacked the wood and lived in the dismantled hut?

Harlequin. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Harlequin and his background.

Russian; son of arch priest; government of Tabov; ran away from school, fled on Russian ship; persuaded a Dutch trading company to fit him out and started for the interior with a light heart; 25. Signup and view all the answers

What does Harlequin say about Kurtz?

He has enlarged his mind. Signup and view all the answers

How does harlequin's expression change when M mentions Kurtz?

He becomes gloomy. Signup and view all the answers

What does H say about talking to Kurtz?

The harlequin justifies this by saying that you don't talk to Kurtz; you only listen to him. So he's making up for lost babbling. Signup and view all the answers

What made the notion of attack inconceivable to M?

The nature of the cries. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kurtz's Influence

Kurtz is described as having a frightful influence and is depicted as an isolated figure, adding to his mysterious persona.

Kurtz's Mysterious Actions

Paddled 300 miles into the wilderness alone with four indigenous paddlers, enhancing the enigma surrounding him.

Journey Duration

Marlow (M) took two months to reach Kurtz, highlighting the arduous nature of the expedition.

Illusions of Time and Space

M reflects on the journey, equating it to traveling back to the world's earliest beginnings, indicating a profound existential experience.

Crew Description

The crew, referred to as cannibals, subsisted on rotten hippo meat instead of resorting to cannibalism, suggesting their desperation and survival tactics.

Fellow Travelers

M was accompanied by the manager and four pilgrims, showcasing a mix of characters in the journey.

Superstitions

M warns his fireman about the boiler's water level, suggesting there's an evil spirit linked to its operation, imbuing their journey with supernatural fears.

Encounter with the Dismantled Hut

A dismantled hut is discovered along with a note indicating caution and a wood supply, illustrating the lurking dangers and previous attempts at communication.

Discovery in the Hut

A book about seamanship with notes in cipher was found, indicating Kurtz’s intellectual side and his secretive methods of communication.

Attack Incident

The crew experiences an attack, realizing they are shot at with poisonous arrows, intensifying the atmosphere of danger in the wilderness.

Fatal Attack on the Helmsman

The savage helmsman is fatally wounded by a spear in a chaotic attack, symbolizing the fragility of life amid conflict.

M’s Actions Post-Attack

M removes the helmsman's body and tosses it overboard to prevent the crew from consuming it, stirring discomfort and moral dilemmas among them.

Changing Footwear

After the traumatic experience, M changes his bloody shoes, emphasizing the impact of violence on his psyche.

Use of the Steam Whistle

M blows the steam whistle to scare off attackers, demonstrating a reliance on technology amid primitive threats.

Reflection on Motivation

M realizes he is driven by a deep desire to meet Kurtz, and the disappointment of potentially finding him dead weighs heavily on him.

Kurtz's Gift of Communication

Kurtz's most notable talent is his ability to engage in compelling conversation, which captivates those around him.

Ominous Report

Kurtz’s report includes a chilling footnote urging the extermination of the "brutes," revealing his dark philosophies regarding colonialism and control.

Kurtz’s Background

Kurtz has a mixed heritage with a half-English mother and half-French father, educated primarily in English, providing a complex identity.

Special Connection

M shares a unique bond with the helmsman, highlighting the profound connections formed in dire circumstances.

Arrival at the Inner Station

Upon arrival, an enthusiastic man, resembling a harlequin, greets the steamship, representing the complex characters encountered.

Harlequin's Appearance

The harlequin is vividly dressed in colorful patches, with animated expressions, symbolizing the chaotic and vibrant aspects of life in the jungle.

Harlequin's Justification

The harlequin rationalizes the attack, claiming the attackers meant no harm and were merely protecting Kurtz, reflecting a misunderstanding of intentions.

Harlequin's Identity

The harlequin lived in the dismantled hut and is linked to Kurtz, emphasizing his connection to the central narrative.

Harlequin’s Background

He is a Russian runaway from a privileged background, having fled from an oppressive upbringing to seek adventure in the interior.

Kurtz's Enlightenment

The harlequin describes Kurtz as someone who has "enlarged his mind," indicating the transformative power of his experiences.

Harlequin's Gloom

The harlequin's demeanor shifts to gloom when Kurtz is mentioned, revealing the complexity of his dependence on Kurtz's charisma.

Communication Dynamics

Harlequin notes that one does not talk to Kurtz but simply listens, revealing the power dynamics in their interactions and the weight of Kurtz's thoughts.

Nature of Threat

M finds the notion of attack inconceivable, highlighting his confusion over the gravity of the situation amidst the cries of alarm.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 2 of 'Heart of Darkness' with these flashcards. Each card addresses key terms and concepts related to Kurtz and the journey up the river. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of this complex literary work.