Heart of Darkness Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of Marlow's journey up the Congo River?

  • To meet Kurtz, an idealistic man of great abilities (correct)
  • To explore the impassive and majestic jungle
  • To trade with the native inhabitants of the region
  • To establish new Company stations in Africa

What contrasts sharply with the cruelty and squalor of imperial enterprise in Heart of Darkness?

  • The peaceful coexistence with native inhabitants
  • The impassive and majestic jungle (correct)
  • The rapid growth of white settlements
  • The efficiency of the Company’s stations

Which character runs the Central Station in Heart of Darkness?

  • Marlow
  • The general manager (correct)
  • The brickmaker
  • Kurtz

What happens to Marlow's steamship in Heart of Darkness?

<p>It sinks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Heart of Darkness, what is the relationship between the manager and the brickmaker?

<p>They are rivals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the native inhabitants in Heart of Darkness suffer from?

<p>Overwork and ill treatment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Marlow become more interested in Kurtz during his time at the Central Station?

<p>'Kurtz is rumored to be ill, elevating his mystery' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Marlow referred to the agents as pilgrims?

<p>They carried long wooden staves. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Marlow manage to frighten away the unseen band of natives that attacked the ship?

<p>By using the ship's steam whistle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the collection of severed heads around Kurtz's Inner Station signify?

<p>Kurtz had gone on brutal raids for ivory. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Russian trader claim about Kurtz's moral judgments?

<p>Kurtz was not subject to moral judgments like normal people. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Kurtz try to deceive Marlow and the crew about his death?

<p>By ordering an attack on the steamer. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Kurtz's last words, 'The horror! The horror!' most likely refer to?

<p>The brutality he witnessed (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What finally convinces Kurtz to return to the ship while crawling towards the native camp?

<p>Marlow's intervention (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Exterminate all the brutes!' was written in a packet of personal documents entrusted by Kurtz to Marlow. What does this phrase suggest about Kurtz's state of mind?

<p>He had become disillusioned with humanity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow handle Kurtz's Intended when she asks about Kurtz's last words?

<p>He fabricates a comforting lie about Kurtz's last words. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference in the evaluation of the 'civilizing mission' between Marlow and Kurtz?

<p>Kurtz sees it as a necessary brutality, while Marlow sees it as meaningless. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow's journey into the 'heart of darkness' compare to a traditional hero's journey?

<p>Marlow faces a twofold crisis related to staying true to his values and confronting Kurtz's madness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow's journey in 'Heart of Darkness' conclude?

<p>Marlow is haunted by Kurtz's death and carries the burden back with him. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What sets Marlow's journey apart from a traditional hero's journey?

<p>He fails to conquer his enemy Kurtz. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Marlow's journey considered antiheroic?

<p>Because Marlow returns home haunted by Kurtz's death without defeating him. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the conclusion of 'Heart of Darkness' contribute to its ambivalent ending?

<p>The novella ends with a ponderous and heavy mood, leaving the audience in silence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Marlow's story from a traditional hero's journey?

<p>Marlow confronts the challenge of remaining morally intact amidst savagery. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes Marlow's journey in 'Heart of Darkness' different from traditional hero journeys?

<p>Marlow fails to overcome the crisis he faces with Kurtz. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the antiheroic nature of Marlow's journey?

<p>Marlow fails to defeat Kurtz and is haunted by his death. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the conclusion of 'Heart of Darkness' contribute to its ambivalent ending?

<p>The novella ends with a somber and heavy mood, leaving the audience silent. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What narrative structure does Joseph Conrad use in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Nested narrative (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Heart of Darkness, how is the frame narrator able to distinguish Marlow's words?

<p>By the use of quotation marks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Marlow depicted in Heart of Darkness when he speaks at night?

<p>As a disembodied voice (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Marlow and Kurtz in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Adversaries (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What river does Marlow journey down in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Congo River (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow perceive Kurtz for most of Heart of Darkness?

<p>As present only by reputation or imagination (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the use of quotations in Heart of Darkness create when Marlow speaks?

<p>The impression of a disembodied voice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the setting at the beginning of Heart of Darkness?

<p>A cruising boat on the River Thames (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the frame narrator perceive Marlow when night falls in Heart of Darkness?

<p>As a disembodied voice (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the use of quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph indicate in Heart of Darkness?

<p>That Marlow's words are being recounted by another narrator (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue explored in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Imperialism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Kurtz differ from the Company workers in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Kurtz acquires ivory through force (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow primarily view the African natives in the book?

<p>As objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impetus behind Marlow's adventures in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Hypocrisy inherent in imperialism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Kurtz's downfall related to his actions in Heart of Darkness?

<p>His violent and oppressive rule (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Heart of Darkness, how does the Company workers justify their treatment of Africans?

<p>As part of a benevolent project of civilization (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Kurtz describe his treatment of the natives in Heart of Darkness?

<p>&quot;Suppression&quot; and &quot;extermination&quot; (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Marlow's opinion about Kurtz's method of acquiring ivory in Heart of Darkness?

<p>Disapproves (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Heart of Darkness portray the African mistress associated with Kurtz?

<p>&quot;An object&quot; (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'The Hypocrisy of Imperialism' primarily refers to:

<p>'The Brutality and Deception Behind Colonization' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Marlow speculate about the random hole in the ground dug by slave laborers?

<p>It was to occupy the slaves with pointless work. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow describe the accountant he meets at the Company Station?

<p>Immaculately clean and well-groomed. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the way Marlow views Africans in 'Heart of Darkness'?

<p>As mere instruments or savages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow view Kurtz's speeches in the context of his emptiness?

<p>As morally bankrupt despite being showy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contradiction does Marlow express about colonialism in 'Heart of Darkness'?

<p>He supports the idea of colonialism but narrates horrors of missions in Africa. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase best describes Marlow's perception of life at the novella's end?

<p>'Merciless logic for a futile purpose.' (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marlow characterize the chatty brickmaker at the Central Station?

<p>'A hollow papier-mâché Mephistopheles.' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant contradiction in Marlow's outlook on colonialism?

<p>He supports equality but describes Africans as savages and instruments. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'The brickmaker’s speech is all form and no content,' suggests what about his communication?

<p>'It lacks genuine substance or value.' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Kurtz was hollow at the core' signifies what about Kurtz's character?

<p>'He lacked depth or substance.' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does madness play in 'Heart of Darkness'?

<p>Serves as an ironic device to engage the reader's sympathies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does 'Heart of Darkness' explore hypocrisy and moral confusion?

<p>By questioning the applicability of moral values in a world gone insane (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the absurdity of evil refer to in 'Heart of Darkness'?

<p>The profound moral confusion and hypocrisy in the characters (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does 'Heart of Darkness' portray the futility of European presence in Africa?

<p>By illustrating pointless actions and labor practices by Europeans (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does madness affect Kurtz in 'Heart of Darkness'?

<p>It is portrayed as relative within the context of the Company (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What purpose does madness serve in 'Heart of Darkness'?

<p>To engage the reader's sympathies towards certain characters (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Heart of Darkness' raises questions about:

<p>'How can moral standards be applicable in a chaotic world?' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Heart of Darkness' portrays Europeans in Africa as engaging in:

<p>'Pointless and futile endeavors' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Heart of Darkness' explores which theme related to imperialism?

<p>'The link between madness and imperialist actions' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Heart of Darkness' suggests that insanity is difficult to define within:

<p>'The context of Kurtz's actions' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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