Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition 12

This is an excerpt from a New Yorker article from 1995 in which the author, David Denby, struggles with the same questions that we do.  Here he expresses Chinua Achebe’s problems with the book. (Achebe is a Nigerian professor, poet, novelist, and more. He is one of the most outspoken critics of Conrad’s book.) Here is a link to the full article. It is a long but interesting read. You don't have to read it all, but I do want you to consider what Achebe has to say, in part, about Heart of Darkness. Read and then comment. Return and comment on a classmate's post. (The following 2 paragraphs are directly taken from the article. I have no idea why the layout looks so weird.) Achebe believes that “Heart of Darkness” is an example of the Western habit of setting up Africa “as a foil to Europe, a place of negations . . . in comparison with which Europe’s own state of spiritual grace will be manifest.” Conrad, obsessed with the black skin of Africans, had as his real...

Same thing here...This is more challenging. What do you see in connection to Heart of Darkness and A Season in Hell  by Arthur Rimbaud?  The poet was a troubled young man that you might find interesting.  Here's a  link  to read more about his life and career. BTW...this poem is referenced in the movie Eddie and the Cruisers , a classic 80s flick about a Jim Morrison-type rocker who mysteriously disappeared.  Here's the  link to the music video .  If you have a chance to watch the movie in some way, do it.  It's worth two hours of your time. A Season in Hell   Arthur Rimbaud, 1854 - 1891 A while back, if I remember right, my life was one long party where all hearts were open wide, where all wines kept flowing. One night, I sat Beauty down on my lap.—And I found her galling.—And I roughed her up. I armed myself against justice. I ran away. O witches, O misery, O hatred, my treasure’s been turned over to you! I managed to...

Slave Ship Video Link What do you think about this painting--the style, the subject, the purpose, the painter? In regards to our discussion on Friday, what connections do you see with this video and Conrad's decision to write  Heart of Darkness ? Respond with your own idea then return to comment on a classmate's post.

Can you believe that we're done? Post your own memoir about any topic.  Add as many as you like.

6 words.  What do you think about it?

Read Penelope Lively's "Next Term, We'll Mash You!" in the green textbook. Page 1301.  Check out the questions at the end and respond to one or two that pique your interests--particularly #5--#12.  Write a thoughtful post.  Go back and respond to your classmates' ideas at some point. I will check this on Monday, March 23rd.