AP Literature/Heart of Darkness HELP?!

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>I am in AP English Literature & Composition and even though school just started, I am doing terribly. We have had three grades: one quiz on an introduction to the book which I read twice but still didn't understand, one vocabulary quiz which I studied hard for but somehow got half a point off, and one sheet we had to get signed by our parents which I did. We only get 100 points per quarter.</p>

<p>I've been paying attention and reading as we go through Heart of Darkness, and I feel like I understand most of the symbols, but I'm terrified that I will still do terribly on this test. She gave us a list of what to study, but it's very broad things like "your notes" and "history of the book".</p>

<p>Any advice??? If it helps, I have an in-class essay on Tuesday and it's supposed to be a question from the AP exam that I have to relate to Heart of Darkness, and then a test on Wednesday or Thursday.</p>

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<p>Heart of Darkness is a magnificently written book. In so few words Conrad scathingly indites European colonialism while presenting a profoundly touching story of one man’s struggles and travails. Conrad has a profound understanding of the human condition and I often found that Conrad had words for feelings I previously did not know could be expressed with words. </p>

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<p>Even if one ignores the underlying theme of imperialism, Heart of Darkness remain an excellent novella. Conrad’s descriptive imagery is next to none; there need not be a movie based on Heart of Darkness, it is its own movie.</p>

<p>The conclusion - if it can be termed as such - is similarly powerful. Conrad does not end on a dull, flat note, as do most inexperienced writers; instead, he terminates the story on a resonating note, refusing the fully satiate the reader. Perhaps the biggest enigma is Kurtz - who is he? A mere literary device, a mere plot device, to whom Marlow advances? A symbol, a representation of that goal in everyone’s life? If so, the implications are startling; is Konrad conveying that what might seem desirable from a distance is actually not desirable when we can discern it in greater detail? Are our lives merely futile struggles? Let’s take a psychological perspective. Perhaps Konrad is suggesting that we all need a goal, and that we all have goals, whether conscious, or subconscious. These goals, these endpoints, imbue our lives with purpose. In the jungle, where the one’s only purpose is ivory-grubbing, higher beings, such as Marlow, who are disinterested in base materialism, must create a goal to which they strive.</p>

<p>The most touching moment in Heart of Darkness is Marlow telling a white lie to Kurtz’s “Intended.” She remains forever in ignorance, to me, to you, to my children, to your children, and to high school students to come. </p>

<p>More than just an onion, Heart of Darkness is infinitely deep. From a tale of immoral imperialism, to a profound psychoanalysis, to an exploration of love, both platonic (loyalty), and romantic, Heart of Darkness truly has it all within its mere 70 or so pages. Anderson Cooper, Sigmund Freud, and 50 Shades of Grey, all combined, is Heart of Darkness.</p>

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<p>I feel you 13nortonj. I took AP Lit last year and also had to read HoD. However my teacher gave us these wonder study guide questions (50 or so for each chapter of the novella).They helped me so much that I felt confident enough to write about HoD on the exam last year (and got a 5). These questions provoked my thinking about the book and really lead me to draw profound conclusions on the characters, setting, symbols, themes, motifs, etc. I’d see if you could talk to your teacher about finding other resources to guide your thinking. Sometimes, a little bit of guidance and channeled thinking are all one needs to further grasp the concept of the novella.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much to both of you!</p>