Heart of Darkness
Assessment
Postcards from the Congo
Luchies-Schroeder CP 12
For this assessment you must write POSTCARDS from different characters’ perspectives
in the Heart of Darkness that demonstrate a thematic understanding of the novel, as
well as utilize the text and literary criticism. The characters include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Kurtz
Marlow
A Company Member/Pilgrim
A Native
Each postcard must include the following:
1. A Visual: on the front of the postcard design a visual that obviously summarizes
what each person believes the “Heart of Darkness” to be.
2. An Understanding/Thesis Statement: each postcard must answer the question,
“What is the Heart of Darkness?” and/or “what is ‘The horror! The horror!”
from each character’s perspective.
3. Quotes: each thesis statement must be supported by at least TWO quotes from
the novel.
4. Literary Criticism/Research: each thesis statement must also be supported by at
least ONE documented article/journal from the databases provided.
5. Works Cited Page: to be turned in separately—should have FOUR cited articles
total.
Dear Auntie,
After several months in the heart of darkness, I’ve finally figured out what human darkness is (MY THESIS)! I
believe it is this HERE’S WHERE YOU TELL ME WHAT MARLOW THINKS IT IS. And as I noticed, “QUOTE HERE
FROM THE BOOK” (Conrad 42). What I think this means is EXPLAIN QUOTE. I also noticed a few other things
that explain the heart of darkness: “QUOTE FROM THE NOVEL” (Conrad 127). Clearly this means EXPLAIN
THE QUOTE. On a final note Mr. Steven Smith has also said in agreement that, “QUOTE HER FROM LITERARY
CRITICISM” (Smith 82). Clearly, Auntie, the heart of darkness is an evil, evil thing.
Much love, Your wonderful nephew Marlow
Heart of Darkness
Rubric
Unsatisfactory
I
RESEARCH:
Works Cited,
MLA, and
Literary
Criticism
THEME:
Universal theme
and connection
to character
Um, what’s a
works cited?
Holy errors,
Batman!
Proficient
8
My works cited page
contains only three
articles, and/or it has
too many errors to
demonstrate
proficiency.
My works cited page
contains four articles
and hardly has any
errors.
My works cited page
contains at least 4
articles and is nearly
flawless.
I have properly
quoted the articles
and the text using
MLA format in my
postcards.
I have used proper
MLA citing, and I have
no errors!
I have used the
literary criticism I
found to support my
thesis.
My literary criticism
clearly supports my
thesis, and I am ready
for college!
I have used two
quotes that
adequately support
my thesis/theme.
I have used at least
two quotes from the
novel, and they are
super good!
My understanding of
what the heart of
darkness is needs
some work—it’s not
too clear.
I have less than four
postcards.
I clearly understand
what the Heart of
Darkness is!
I have four postcards,
each from a different
perspective.
I get this book—I have
correctly and clearly
demonstrated and
understanding of the
heart of darkness!
I have four postcards,
each from a different
perspective.
I have used less than 4
different
articles/literary
criticism.
I have used FOUR
articles/literary
criticism; one for
each postcard.
I have used FOUR
articles/literary
criticism; one for each
postcard.
I have less than TWO
quotes from the
novel/card.
I have TWO quotes
from the novel/card.
I have TWO quotes
from the novel/card.
I have a visual that
clearly demonstrates
an understanding of
theme.
I have a visual that
clearly demonstrates
an advanced
understanding of
theme.
I have misquoted here
and there.
I haven’t used
any literary
criticism.
I haven’t used
any quotes.
My literary criticism
doesn’t quite connect
with the theme, or it
doesn’t really support
what I am trying to
say.
I have only used one
quote/card. Uh oh.
I don’t really get
this whole heart
of darkness
theme thing.
CONTENT
Partially
Proficient
7
I am missing too
much here to
even be
graded—I better
not do this next
year!!
My visual lacks depth
and understanding of
theme.
Name:
Advanced
9/10