Essay Topics for Heart of Darkness
2012
Due Date: First draft due March 27th,
Choose one of the following topics and write an essay. Remember the basic requirements of the essay and do not
forget that you are writing literary analysis, not plot summary.
1.
Discuss the function of the frame story in the structure of Heart of Darkness. Explain the role of the listeners as
well as the narrators in your discussion of that frame.
2.
Using specific textual references, show that Heart of Darkness is an indictment of the brutal greed with which
European colonialism exploited Africa.
3.
Discuss Heart of Darkness as existential literature, focusing on Conrad's delineation of absurdity and alienation
through vivid images.
4.
Marlow claims that he hates, detests "and can't bear a lie." He goes on to say that "there is a taint of death, a
flavour of mortality in lies." Yet he lies to the Intended at the conclusion of the story. Examine the process
which brings Marlow from one conviction to the other.
5.
Explain and analyze the dualism in Kurtz's character. What is significant about this duality?
6.
Analyze the role and significance of the harlequin Russian.
7.
Inner restraint is an important topic in Heart of Darkness. Analyze the cannibals on the boat, the Pilgrims,
Kurtz, and Marlow in relation to this topic. What is a theme associated with inner restraint?
8.
Discuss Conrad's view of women as revealed through the aunt, the Intended, and Kurtz's mistress.
9.
Discuss Conrad's use of color, particularly black and white. Does he follow the traditional use of black for evil
and white for good? To what degree is there reversal? Are both symbols of evil? A second topic choice is to
discuss Conrad's use of color other than black and white.
10.
Justify the paradox that the greatest illumination comes from the moment of greatest darkness in Kurtz's
career.
11.
Discuss Conrad's skillful use of parallels--scenes, images, and characters--as a structural as well as thematic
device. You will need to limit and focus. For example, the two Brussels scenes are crucial ones in the novel.
You might consider how they are utilized in the plot to provide character and thematic insight.
12.
Conrad uses several clusters of images in Heart of Darkness-- images of brightness, gloom, isolation,
madness, disease, sterility, physical decomposition, diabolism, and violent death. Choose one of these and
show how this image relates to a theme or develops a theme. You must incorporate as many references from
the text as possible for the image you choose in your essay, as well as adequate explanation of that image.
13.
Discuss the conflict between illusion and reality in Heart of Darkness. What is Conrad teaching us by
bombarding us with this conflict? How does this conflict contribute to a theme?
14.
Kurtz's last cry, "The horror! The horror!" takes the reader to the meaning of the whole African venture for
Marlow. Discuss one of the following:
a. the cry is the story's ultimate comment on the European civilizing of Africa
b. the cry is understood to mean Kurtz's actions have been horrible
c. the cry is understood to mean all existence is horrible
15.
Conrad makes many references to work in Heart of Darkness. What is Conrad suggesting or teaching us
about work? How do his views mirror or contrast those of his peers in Victorian England?
16.
Frederick Karl writes: "behind Huckleberry Finn and Heart of Darkness there is a basis of similarity and a
general kinship of idea. . . . " In an essay compare the two. You might consider the river as a structuring
device and symbol, the sobering depiction of a society's hypocrisies, human degradation and potential for evil,
or moral growth through confrontation with evil. Be careful, some students in the past who have chosen this
topic have not limited the topic adequately or failed to use specifics from the novels.
17.
18. Write a comparison and/or contrast paper using Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now. Make sure that
you limit your topic to specific areas of contrast. Your essay will be too broad if you contrast the novella to the
movie.