Heart of Darkness

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novella over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. How is Kurtz characterized by others’ reactions to him?

• Make a claim about how other characters’ reactions to Kurtz show the reader something important about what kind of person Kurtz is. (topic sentence)
• Give specific examples of how three different characters react to Kurtz and explain what their reactions show about Kurtz. (development/support)
• Sum up how the characterization of Kurtz relates to the novella’s overall meaning. (concluding sentence or sentences)

2. What is the symbolic significance of the river in Heart of Darkness?

• Make a claim about the symbolic meaning of the river. (topic sentence)
• Show how diction, imagery, and details support your topic sentence’s claim. (development/support)
• Sum up how the symbolism of the river supports the novella’s overall meaning.  (concluding sentence or sentences)

3. How does Conrad use light and dark symbolically in Heart of Darkness?

• Make a claim about what light stands for versus what darkness stands for.