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3.03 AVERAGE
3.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
The third Norton critical edition of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, edited by Robert Kimbrough, provides very necessary background to understand the context in which he wrote. Of particular note is the inclusion of George Washington William’s reports on his visit to the Belgian Congo. However, this edition rather unfortunately lacks Roger Casement’s report, and does not actively engage with questions of race and the African response to Conrad that came out in the 20th century, along with the ensuing discourse.
These last two flaws are addressed by the 4th edition, edited by Paul B. Armstrong. This subsequent edition provides excerpts from the works of Darwin, Hegel, Russell Wallace, and Galton to understand how Conrad’s attitudes to race differ or comport with the culture of his time. Additionally, the responses of Chinua Achebe and Edward Said are also provided.
These last two flaws are addressed by the 4th edition, edited by Paul B. Armstrong. This subsequent edition provides excerpts from the works of Darwin, Hegel, Russell Wallace, and Galton to understand how Conrad’s attitudes to race differ or comport with the culture of his time. Additionally, the responses of Chinua Achebe and Edward Said are also provided.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
This is a great story if you are into digging through metaphor after metaphor after metaphor. Despite the relentless use of this literary tool, Conrad's basic message is touching and clever.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Written with beautiful language. However the story delves too deep into the abstract feelings of the narrator and tries to convey meaning to the story and a weight to the characters with grandeur rather than substance. The horrors.
A worthwhile listen, Kenneth Branagh's narration is captivating.
A thoroughly interesting novel - clearly deeply steeped in the attitudes of the time and, let's make no apologies for it, it was a horrifically racist time. As Conrad wrote the book King Leopold was committing atrocities in the Congo and, like many at the time, Conrad's novel portrays the European encounter with Africa as a lot more balanced than it actually was.
As a study of man going to extreme lengths for ambition, the novel is fascinating. Kutz has nearly limitless ambition and massive amounts of charisma but pushes himself into the darkness never to return. Marlow, on the other hand, knows his limits and is able to return.
As a study of Colonial Africa, it probably isn't true to life but does show European attitudes of the time quite starkly.
In summary, Branagh does an excellent job bringing the novel to life but the novel it's is not unproblematic.
A thoroughly interesting novel - clearly deeply steeped in the attitudes of the time and, let's make no apologies for it, it was a horrifically racist time. As Conrad wrote the book King Leopold was committing atrocities in the Congo and, like many at the time, Conrad's novel portrays the European encounter with Africa as a lot more balanced than it actually was.
As a study of man going to extreme lengths for ambition, the novel is fascinating. Kutz has nearly limitless ambition and massive amounts of charisma but pushes himself into the darkness never to return. Marlow, on the other hand, knows his limits and is able to return.
As a study of Colonial Africa, it probably isn't true to life but does show European attitudes of the time quite starkly.
In summary, Branagh does an excellent job bringing the novel to life but the novel it's is not unproblematic.