Works Cited:

http://members.tripod.com/~skberker/index-3.html - Vocabulary
http://www.lexile.com/PowerV/Heart%20of%20Darkness.pdf Vocabulary Workbook w/ quiz
http://emotional-literacy-education.com/classic-books-online-c/hdark10a.htm -Online Book w/ voc
Offinga near or forseeable future
Diaphanuscharcterized by delicacy of firm or texture
Inscrutablenot readily investigated, interpreted or understood
Sedantarycompletly inactive
Propensityan often intense preference or natural inclanation
Spectralghostly
Stritsa spar that crosses a fore and aft of a sail diaganally
Luminousglowing, a lighted
EstuaryWater passage where the tide meets the river current
Asceticpracticing strict self-denial as a measure of personal
or spiritual discipline
VenerableSacred, religous or respected
Augustmarked by majestic dignity
Knight Erranta knight traveling in search of adventures in which to
exhibit military skill and prowness.
Immutabilitychangeable
Concertinaa small musical, instument, like an accordian
Somnambulista sleepwalker
OminousUnfavorable or threatening
Senteniouslyfull of meaning, saying much in few words, giving advice
Enigmasomething hard to understan or mysterious - adj, enigmaticInsipidWithout any taste or spirit of interest
Lugubrious-

too sad - overly mournful

DrolleryUnwhimsical humor
Morosehaving a gloomy disposition
AlacrityPunctual, prompt or on-time
Rapaciouseccesivly covetous
Moribundstate of dying
Pestilencecontagious or infectious
Demoralizationto corrupt, or the corruption of something
Trechantvigurously effective, morals articulant
Stealthysneaky or undercover
Deplorabledeserving contempt
Indefatigableunable to become tired
Scathingbitterly severe
Taunttease or make fun of
Epocha time period or fixed point
Serviettea table napkin
Ostentationto display
Beguiledto lead by deception
Supercilioushaughty or proud
Prevaricatorlier, deviator of truth
Impudencemarked by cocky boldness
Vexeddebated or discussed at length
Pestiforousdargerous to society
Indignationto be unjust, unworthy and mean
Sagaciousjudgement, discerning
Edifyingto instruct or improve - spiritually

Ciphereone without weight worth or influence

MalevolentlyProductive of harm or of evil
Languidlyslow, laking quickness
Recondilehidden from sight
Inexolerablenot to be persuaded to move
Apathylack of feeling or emotion
Tumultmilling crowd, disoredly agitation
Sombrevery serious, grave and depressing
Desolationto be alone in sorrow
Impalpableto be uncapable of feeling through touch.
Prodigiousan omen
Prudentlyexcessivly proper in manners or wisdom
Motleycomposed of diverse colors
Harlequina humourous character in pantomime
Abscoundedto depart secretly and hide oneself
Audacityrecklessly bold or daring
Vivaciouslylivly in spirit-sprightly
Despondancya state of hopelessness
Reproachfulan expression of rebuke or disapproval
Reposepeace, resting, eternal, heavenly
Fecundfruitful in offsring or vegetation

ABJECT Pronunciation ab-jekt

Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 sunk to or existing in a low state or condition
Word Used in Context
This once-majestic plantation home now sags in abject disrepair, groaned the historical
societys president.
The actor did not learn his lines, so his performance was an abject failure.
Sophie wailed in abject despair when her dog was struck by a car.
ALLUDE Pronunciation uh-lood
Part of Speech intransitive verb
Definition 1 to hint at or mention briefly
Word Used in Context
I will allude to your tardiness with two syllables: tick-tock, Mrs. Jameson told Gregory as
he tried to sneak into class.
If you allude to cats, Mary warned her visitor, my aunt will meow.
Rachel will not openly brag about her new vacation home, but she may allude to the
beach.
APPARITION Pronunciation ah-puh-rih-shuhn
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 a ghostly figure
Word Used in Context
The fisherman dropped his net when he saw the apparition of a pirate ship in the haunted
harbor.
Reggie was relieved when he realized that the apparition was only a trick of the curtains.
The apparition of the king appeared to Macbeth and convinced him to seek revenge.
ASKEW Pronunciation uh-skyoo
Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 out of line; awry
Word Used in Context
I knew something was askew when I saw the broken window, Mr. Phipps told the police
officer.
A sudden gust of wind blew her perfectly arranged hair askew.
The artist quipped, Might I ask you if my painting hangs askew?
ASPIRATION Pronunciation ass-pih-ray-shun
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 a strong desire to do something great or important
Definition 2 the drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by
suction
Word Used in Context
The young chef had the aspiration to own a restaurant one day.
My aspiration is to set foot on Mars, the astronaut said.
Mary drew in both air and water with her deep aspiration, and began to choke.
ATROCIOUS Pronunciation uh-troh-shuhs
Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 very cruel, or terrible
Word Used in Context
Put away your sword, shouted the hero, because I will never allow you to perform these
atrocious acts!

Nobody laughed when the comedian told atrocious jokes about hurting animals.
The villains who performed this atrocious torture on innocent victims should be
punished, said the angry president.
AUDACITY Pronunciation aw-dah-suh-tee
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints
Word Used in Context
Belles sudden audacity surprised her co-workers, who had mistakenly labeled her as
shy.
The principal opened his mouth in disbelief at the audacity of the delinquent student, who
sauntered into the office and propped his feet up on the desk.
It took a lot of audacity to audition for the outlandish play.
BEGUILE Pronunciation be-gile
Part of Speech transitive verb
Definition 1 to lead by deception
Definition 2 to pass time, especially by some agreeable occupation
Word Used in Context
I beguile unwitting passengers into carrying my contraband, confessed the smuggler.
The trick depended entirely on the magicians ability to beguile his audience while he
slipped the rabbit up his sleeve.
The prisoners decided to beguile the tedium of the evening by singing.
CIRCUMVENT Pronunciation suhr-kuhm-vent
Part of Speech transitive verb
Definition 1 to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagem
Word Used in Context
Josh sought to circumvent the universitys strict requirements, but he failed, and his
application was denied.
We were able to circumvent the long line by using the back door.
The rabbit attempted to circumvent Farmer Wily by sneaking into the cabbage patch
while he was hoeing a field of carrots.
CONFOUND Pronunciation kuhn-faund
Part of Speech transitive verb
Definition 1 to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity
Word Used in Context
The challenging puzzles confound most people for weeks.
The stores awkward layout will confound most shoppers, and that is not good for
business.
Stonehenge may confound physicists for centuries.
DISCOURSE Pronunciation dis-kohrs
Part of Speech intransitive verb
Definition 1 talk; converse
Word Used in Context
The politician would publicly discourse on all of his favorite subjects.
It is not polite to discourse during a movie, so please stop talking, my date told the man.
On Tuesday, the art teacher will discourse on Picasso, and on Wednesday, he will talk
about Matisse.
EMISSARY Pronunciation ehm-ih-sayr-e
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 one designated as the agent of another; representative
Word Used in Context

An emissary of the Dalai Lama spoke in India on his behalf.

The woman was an emissary of sorrow at her husbands funeral.
The vacationing store manager appointed Bill to be his emissary of business affairs.
ENIGMA Pronunciation ih-nig-muh
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 a mystery or a puzzle
Word Used in Context
The disappearance of the keys was an enigma to Molly, who was well-organized and
rarely lost things.
The deep man was an enigma to his superficial wife, who could understand little beyond
the realm of pretty frocks and lively parties.
Fidos method of escape was an enigma to Mrs. James, who had made sure the kennel
was locked.
INEXORABLE Pronunciation ih-neks-ruh-buhl
Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 not to be persuaded or moved by entreaty; relentless
Word Used in Context
The inexorable decree of the teacher was not altered by the desperate students pleas.
The necessity for food was inexorable; we had to eat dirt in order to survive.
Demi had an inexorable opinion that the moon was made of whipped cream, and no
science book could tell her differently.
INSCRUTABLE Pronunciation in-skroo-tuh-buhl
Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood
Word Used in Context
Mona Lisa has an inscrutable smile that is hard to interpret.
Americas WWII enemies could not deciper the inscrutable code that was based on the
Navajo language.
I stared into his inscrutable face, trying to discern whether he spoke in earnest or in jest.
INTERMINABLE Pronunciation in-tuhr-mih-nuh-buhl
Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 having or seeming to have no end; especially wearisomely
protracted
Word Used in Context
The days between letters were interminable for the soldiers mother.
We will never get out of this interminable forest! the weary travelers cried.
Marcia finds the wait for grades interminable.
PHILANTHROPIC Pronunciation fih-luhn-throh-pik
Part of Speech adjective
Definition 1 dispensing or receiving aid from funds set aside for humanitarian
purposes
Word Used in Context
The Red Cross is a philanthropic organization that responds to humanitarian crises
around the world.
In honor of his grandfather, Mario established a philanthropic memorial fund with his
inheritance.
Benjamin Franklins will allocated five thousand dollars for philanthropic purposes to both
the cities of Boston and Philadelphia.
SEDENTARY Pronunciation seh-duhn-ter-ee

Part of Speech adjective

Definition 1 doing or requiring much sitting
Word Used in Context
People with sedentary habits are at greater risk for some health problems.
Because I become restless when sedentary for more than twenty minutes, I rarely watch
movies.
Boot camp was a rude awakening for Earl, who had led a sedentary life before enlisting in
the army.
TAINT Pronunciation taynt
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 a contaminating mark or influence
Word Used in Context
The spilled juice left an ugly, purple taint on the white carpet.
FDA regulations require a butcher to reject any piece of beef that has a taint of spoilage.
That birthmark is the taint of a witch! shouted the frightened villagers.
TUMULT Pronunciation too-muhlt
Part of Speech noun
Definition 1 loud noise and confusion
Word Used in Context
When the two celebrities kissed, the audience erupted into a tumult of exclamations.
The hotel clerk hid when he heard the tumult created by the wet, angry guests charging
downstairs.
The parking lot was a tumult of honking cars and angry pedestrians after the concert
ended.
Heart of Darkness is a story within a story. The first narrator never enters the story itself, he only
describes the events that occur on the deck of a yacht, the Nellie. This first narrator is Conrad himself.
However, the actual adventures in the Congo are narrated by Marlow. The function of this character is to
establish a norm against which the other characters can be compared. Marlow is the typical human, while
the "pilgrims" and Kurtz stand for those who lose the main track. The unique thing about Heart of
Darkness is that both the author's sentiments as well as the main character's feelings are represented
separately. Even if Conrad agrees with most of Marlow's opinions, Conrad is not Marlow, and they are
two different people in this book. We find this book to be fascinating for the fact that we never really
understand Marlow, or Conrad, for that matter. They are both intended to remain elusive, and it is up to
the reader to interpret their actions and words. Marlow at least tells the reader how he feels about what is
going on around him, even if it is difficult at times to understand what is in his mind. However, the fifth
person on the boat (Conrad) just reports what is being seen, and we don't get a chance at the author's
insight.
Several things add to our appreciation of this literary work. The manner in which Conrad addresses some
important philisophical and behavioral issues is original. The concept of conformity to what goes on
around a person is addressed very well, and Kurtz is a perfect exapmle of this. Conrad is trying to tell the
readers that people tend to regress to primitive roles and mannerisms in the absence of laws and rules. It
starts bringing questions to mind, such as what is civilized, and how do we define savage/barbaric. In
addition, Conrad slips in nihilism by showing his audience that we if we are controlled by the
enviornment we live in, and go along with our experiences without taking control, we cannot create our
purpose in life and thereby have a meaningless existence.
The whole concept of using ambiguity in this book makes Heart of Darkness a very mysetrious and
interesting plot to uncover. It was amazing to see how much descriptive detail and figurative language

was used in the text. Depending on a particular person's viewpoint, a lot of the events and sights
witnessed in story can be taken different ways. The image of a shadow also adds to the effect of the
hidden meaning, and examples of this include mist, fog, cloud, darkness, and blackness. These are
contrasted to a world of light, sunlight, lightning flashes, moonlight, and candles. The opposing symbols
can be believed to reveal the different levels of thinking in a person. Conrad the psychologist shows us
that beneath the conscious, "light' level of thinking lies the dark, subconscious below the surface in the
shadow. Conrad's book seems so true to life because his characters have believable motives for their
actions, and when he explores the depths of the unconscious, he shows the reader that every person has a
shadow within them.
Other works that help with Understanding
"The Hollow Men": Read T.S. Elliot's poem for help in interpreting "Heart ofDarkness"
Apocalypse Now: Reveiw this site of the movie based of off Heart of Darkness and the Veitnam War.
The links above provide two key elements that will ease your
understanding of Heart of Darkness. The first is to a page
providing T.S. Elliot's Poem , "The Hollow Men." After
reading the poem it is important to ask what charcterizies a
hollow man. Perhaps it is the fact that some are hypocritical
or that they do not take a stand for anything. Most generally
it would be that hollow men do not walk their talk. It is the
same controversy in Heart of Darkness, about personal gain vs.
conviction. WE see this controversy played out intwo key parts
at the end of the novel. We see it in Marlow after kurtz's death,
when he can either choose to stay and be worshiped as Kurtz did
or he can walk away. Kurtz took his soul to the brink and found
that it was hollow, Marlow followed the same path and was able to
walk away. This controversy is also shown upon Marlows return home.
Marlow was asked by kurtz's intended what his last words were.
Marlow could have told her the truth in being, "The horror...The
horror." But instead, for right or wrong, marlow told the intended
that he uttered her name. This contraversy between personal gain
and conviction illustrates the theme of the gratification of
unrestrained lust. The difference between restrained and unrestarined
would be that restarint is, for eaxample, being able to walk away from
the faces of death, and unrestaint is participating.
The second link yo Apocalypse Now, is to a movie that was made
in the seventies, based on Heart of Darkness and the Veitnam war.
The movie is similar to the book in that:
*the man who Captain Willard is looking for is Kurtz
*there is surfing and water skiing for no reason
*eveyone is somewhat insane who has been out for a while
*Kurtz used to be a great Colonel -he's changed
*The men who are traveling are related to pilgrims
*Kurtz is treated like a god
*Kurtz has no restraint
Although the plots are not exactly the same, much can be learned
in watching Apocalypse Now after reading Heart of Darkness.

Characters:
"Narrator" He is the fifth man "present" on board the Nellie. By listening to Marlow's story he
undergoes a moral transformation. At the beginning he is very optimistic, but at the end the narrator, like
Marlow, understands some of the brute realities in life. He doesn't really relate to the story, but instead he
is converted by it. The narrator achieves what Marlow achieved-"knowledge of yourself."
"Charles Marlow" He is a thirty-two year old sailor, and the protagonist of the story as well. Marlow is
a man of action, very intent on "doing his job well." He also realizes that sticking to the track means more
than giving the appearance of fidelity. The sailor is angered by the cruelty of white colonialism. He yearns
to meet Kurtz during the journey, but in his voyage, Marlow discovers his own capabilities for "losing the
way."
"Mr. Kurtz" The product of Western European civilization, he enters the wilderness with the idea of
uplifting the savages. Kurtz is an orator, writer, poet, musician, artist, politician, ivory procurer, and chief
agent of the ivory complany's Inner station at Stanley Falls. Although he is a "genius," he is a man
without basic integrity or any sense of social responsibility. He has no prepared himself inwardly for the
primitive assault the jungle can encourage, so he responds to it with an unsuspected primitivism of his
own. Through fear and adoration Kurtz wins control over the Africans, and eventually becomes a thief,
murderer, raider, persecutor, and allows himself to be worshipped as god. Although he is "hollow at the
core," he is able to understand the emptiness of his existence. "The horror! The horror!" is his dying
summation of what he has become and what he might have been.
"The Manager" As company manager in the Central Station, he "managed" to survive the oppression in
the wilderness. Although he is protrayed as a hollow man, he is jealous of Kurtz's success and suspicious
of his humanitarianism. The Manager's machine-like personality is a contrast to Kurtz's idealism. He is
indirectly and directly responsible for the moral and physical degradation of Kurtz.
"The Brickmaker" The manager's secretary, he is a man entirely capable of living a pointless existence.
Proof of this is the fact that there isn't a single brick at the station for him to work with. This character
conspires against Kurtz with the manager.
"The Pilgrims" Greedy employees of the company, they anonymously make their mock pilgrimage to
the interior for the sole purpose of exploitation. Capable of murder, they are awful perversions of the
colonial spirit. These depersonalized annoyances have even been referred to as the "black man's burden."
"The Manager's Uncle" He is described as "a butcher in a poor neighborhood," and is leading the
"Eldorado Expedition" in search of plunder.
"The Manager's Boy" This character is used to show that "possesions" tend to take on the character of
the owner. This "overfed young Negro from the coast" is shrewish and insolent. He is the one who
announces conteptuously that Kurtz is dead.
"The Russian Harlequin" This man typifies the kind of person who, "with sheer fright," and "fine
sentiments," always manages to be safe, regardless of the circumstances. He gives Marlow insight into the
terrible nature of Kurtz's inner power. He is an ideal convert to Kurtz's doomed illusions because he is a
clownish romantic. Besides being the obvious function of getting Marlow closer to the Central Station, he

also serves as the innocent adventurer who is willing to risk his everything because he has no clue about
what's at stake.
"Kurtz's Jungle Mistress" She is almost surreal, and appears whenever Kurtz is in danger of
abandoning her. Conrad never fills in exacty what the relation is between Kurtz and the savage woman,
but spares no details with her exquisite clothing. She is thoroughly devoted to her "White God."
"The Intended" The civilized antithesis to the savage woman, she is ironically dressed in mourning
clothes when Marlow confronts her. Marlow decides against telling her the truth about Kurtz's last words;
the illusion of Kurtz will sustain her even when he is dead.
"Marlow's Aunt" She gives Marlow the opportunity of voyage into the heart of darkness. She is
representative of all women who, because they are "out of touch with teh truth," must be kept from the
truth.
"The Helmsman" The swaggering, boastful man panics as he steers the riverboat. Marlow's shoes fill
with the dying Helmsman's blood thus symbolizing a kinship between Marlow, who is preparing to leave
the "track," and one who already has.
"The Cannibals" This primitive crew of Marlow's ship exhibits more self-restraint than the civilized
"pilgrims." Even though they are starving, they refuse to eat their masters, which shows Marlow a kind of
primitive honor.
"The Knitting Women" These women are symbolic guardians of the door of darkness, and act as
company representatives endowed with the knowledge of fatefulness. Their mundane activity is decieving
because of their actual "supernatural" function.
"The Company Doctor" Along with the knitters, this progessional dramatically foreshadows the threat
of the heart of darkness. He measures Marlow's skull, but he is actually more interested in what is going
to happent inside the skull.
"The Accountant" This man is admired by Marlow for doing his job properly and keping his books in
such immaculate order. He is one of the few company administrators that commands Marlow's repect.
However, this character also reveals the general hatred of white men towards black. He also confides his
conviction that thiere is shady business at the Central Station.
"Fresleven" The ex-riverboat captain is replaced by Marlow. He has sadistically attacked an old Negro
and has been killed by a tribal chieftan's son. He represents for Marlow the bizarre effects the jungle can
have on sanity.
"The Swedish Captain" Marlow travels in the captain's steamer to the first company station. The captain
indicates that strange things happen to people that go up the river.
"The Company Representative" He is a final emissary of company greed, determined to retrieve
Kurtz's writings in the hope they will contain valuable geographical information about the jungle territory.
"Kurtz's cousin" He talks with Marlow about Kurtz's vast musical ability.

"The Journalist" He tells Marlow that Kurtz had unlimited political capabilities because of his forensic
powers.