HEART OF DARKNESS
“Understanding the setting of the book”
I.- Go to youtube and play the following
video: “African Drums Burundi Warriors of
the Drum”. Have the students listen to it
while they watch the presentation started on
the next slide.
• Now you are immersed in the African
Congo…
• year 1901…
• You are part of a ship’s crew…
• your yawl…”The Nellie”.
In one word, describe what you feel
II.- Go to youtube and play the following
video “Chinese Bamboo flute yoga”. While
listening, set the atmosphere by reading the
following text slowly and smoothly. (Go to
next slide)
Students lean on their desks and close their
eyes. The classroom atmosphere is set in
complete silence. Nobody interrupts.
Close your eyes.
Imagine you are sailing a riverboat on a river…
There are thousands of huge trees all around you…
What do the trees look like?
How do the trees make you feel?
You are drawn forward, up the river.
There is someone you want to meet there.
Is there a breeze?
What does it feel like?
Is it warm, is it cold?
Breathe…
The engine of the boat is loud, is it making strange noises?
Are you worried about the boat, is everything running OK?
The smell of rotting hippo is on the boat, from the Hippo for the Africans
onboard.
How does it smell?
The sun is setting.
What does it look like?
How much do you see through the trees?
What does the river look like?
Is it clear, is it muddy?
Is it moving rapidly, or calmly flowing down?
The sun has set.
How does the darkness feel?
The roll of drums emerges from the curtain of trees.
What does it sound like?
How does it make you feel?
What does it mean?
Will you be attacked?
Is it a peaceful sound?
Is this part of a religious ritual for these unknown tribes?
The night moves on.
What are you thinking?
You lie down in your cot on the boat.
Now fall asleep.
Slowly, journey back to the classroom.
Wiggle your toes, return back to your consciousness.
When you are ready, open your eyes.
Activity
1.- Write down 5 words that describe your
feelings throughout the journey.
2.- Use those 5 words in a letter you will
write to your family, telling them how the
expedition in the African Congo has been
so far.