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Heart of Darkness/Jane Eyre
I'm reading Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad for school [summer reading] & it just goes on and on and on and on about useless random stuff!!!! I have no idea what the plot of this book is & I get only 60% of what I'm reading. It's like I'm reading the book but the words go in through one eye and out the other. I've made a schedule to finish it by August [I'm in Heart of Darkness part III right now] & I'll probably finish it, but I would have no clue as to what I read. Can anyone give me a really brief idea on what it's about and what the point of the book is? I'm trying to refrain from Sparknotes online and all those similar sites because our school makes us sign sheets that says we're not going to get help from online sites when it comes to books and stuff.
Also, I'm suppose to read Jane Eyre. I know the basic plot but I'm getting mixed info from friends who have already read it. One says the author just goes on and on and never shuts up about description and that it's the WORST book he's read while one says that it's a really good book and that she finished it in a week. From what I see, it does seem to have an interesting storyline going on but it seems really big and thick with small font =/ Someone wanna prep me before I start it in August?
Thanks!
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There's nothing wrong with Sparknotes provided you read it hand in hand along with the actual book. It helps a lot. I do it to refresh my memory in case I forget what happened in the plot.
Dude I had to read that book last year and I didn't really understand anything either. What I can tell you is that to pay attention to black and white images, Europeans vs natives, dark and light as well and the difference between Marlow and Kurtz. Kurtz basically went over the edge, he let the darkness consume his heart while Marlow saw him before he died- he (Kurtz) did not regret what he did, but only was angry that he couldn't have lived to do more because he is evil. Marlow wanted to give in to all the emptiness but when he saw Marlow's face that last time it was like he got a glimpse of what it must be like and he almost became like Kurtz but because he saw his soul he decided not to.
Okay, so the backstory of the book is how in Congo, Africa, King Leopold II of Belgium took over the area (imperialism) and is under his control because he is greedy. Lots of ivory is sold there and people used as slaves and abused constantly and no one is doing anything about it.
I thought Jane Eyre was okay. Lots of people hate it too. I don't remember much if it - it ws so long ago. I don't think it's supposed to be read as some exciting adventure novel or something but appreciated for its use in language or something. It was written a long time ago and people paid attention to that kind of stuff. lol guess what? this site: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) says that: " If our younger generation finds Jane Eyre boring, it is not because they have a genetically different taste; it is a sign of the degree to which comics and grotesque fantasies have adulterated their mind's capability for free imagination." Here are some other opinions: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) like "I had to read Jane Eyre as a required book for my highschool English class. I wasn't too excited about reading it, it seemed very long, and I only had 3 days until I had to finish it. The first day I picked up the book, I don't think I let that book go, until I was finished with it. It was that amazing. The beginnnig was very good, the way they set up the story. The introduction kept you at suspense the whole time, you kept wondering what would happen next. The climax part of the book was the best, the descriptions were so clear, that I felt that I was in the story myself. I could imagine every scene in my head. At the end, it was unpredictable...I didn't know what would happen, but when I found out, it seemed like the perfect ending. I definitly recommend everyone to read it, that has some intrest in it. You can make it the best book you've ever read." in favor of the book. Personally, I believe just the plot is important. Description gets annoying for me too. Once again, Sparknotes is not bad if used correctly.
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I was supposed to read Heart of Darkness for my senior year english class. It was difficult, a lot of the people in my class did not understand it and they barely read it. All I remember from this book, is that the fog is symbolic and very important part of the plot. All I can tell you is that Heart of Darkness is a difficult book, if you read the book and then use sparknotes, it is not like you are cheating, but using the website as clarification. But make sure you read the book first.
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