Darkness as it is perceived by the characters in Joseph Conrad's novella, Tim O"Brien's short story, and Francis Ford Coppola's movie, is largely dictated by society. ... Thus, the description of Mary Anne's transformation in O"Brien's short story helps to explain how a civilized, mainstream, even celebrated imperialist (in Kurtz's situation) becomes their own worst enemy, the stereotypical heathen, bloodthirsty native. ... This blow to the imperialist ego and stark realization that their fears have become true will drive a person (such as Marlow, Captain Willar...

• Word Count: 872
• Approx Pages: 3

The emphasis of Marlow's story shifts in Chapter Two. ... Kurtz' insanity is evident in the statement, "Exterminate all the brutes!" ... To greet them, a Russian man runs to the dock and showers Marlow with stories of Kurtz. ... This scene, however, is short-lived as Marlow skips ahead to the next day-his day of departure from! ... With that, Marlow ends his story aboard the Nellie. ...

• Word Count: 4309
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

On one level, this book can be read as a story about Charlie Marlow's (the novel's protagonist) journey to discover his inner self, or as a commentary on human identity in general. ... On his voyage up the Congo River, Marlow is confronted with culture clash, wilderness, disease, insanity and death and returns to Europe a changed man. ... Marlow starts his tale at sunset, and as his story gets gloomier, so the evening grows gradually darker. ... Then there's the story of Marlow's predecessor Fresleven, a gentle, quiet man who goes on a wild rampage, and the office of the Co...

• Word Count: 4081
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: High School

Marlow then goes on to discuss how short and meaningless our lives really are compared to the light of all life and history. ... (Bennett 76) Within the story Marlow narrates to the crew and the reader by taking "his listeners- back into the darkness of yesterday. ... The river is the first of these symbols to appear in the story. ... Neither river is flowing during the time of the course of the story. ...

• Word Count: 4389
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School