Conrad begins Marlow's journey into the heart of darkness on the Thames, on the yawl, "Nellie" with a short prologue, which contains subtle use of imagery and a brilliant suggestion of the atmosphere that prepares a reader for the prevailing themes of the novel. ... Therefore, a reader's first expectations are rather inexpressible because one is put a half-state, where the clear literal meaning of "heart" is set against the ambiguity of the "darkness". ... The reader's expectations about the novel are flooded with ideas of the unknown, a journey into "darkness" in search of my...

• Word Count: 1586
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate