Heart of Darkness

edelight · Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:14 am

I remember reading this book for a British Lit class and writing a paper for it (concerning the factor of race). It was a tough read, as I had to always go back and reread what I had just read to try to understand the text better. I find that talking about the book in a small group helps to clear my understanding of it...kind of like how we can talk and post about books here.

Overall, I found the book to be good, though I don't know if it is one of those books that make me want to reread it over again for enjoyment.

Penelope · Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:28 pm

Hello edelight, welcome to BT.

I think H of D is a more enjoyable book to discuss than it is to read alone.

I enjoy it more in retrospect. There do seem to be a lot of references to it in book reviews on the radio or newspapers and magazines, so at least, having read it, I feel as though I've got the background. Wouldn't want to read it again though.

poettess · Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:55 pm

Have you seen apocalypse now? The movie? You don't have to read it again, just watch the movie :cool:

Penelope · Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:06 pm

When we were reading the book on BT here, we were all going to watch the film, Apocalypse Now - together, but the different time zones caused a little difficulty and we never did do it. So I still haven't seen the film.

sumlostboi415 · Thu Apr 15, 2010 6:29 pm

Edmond 5th period - I think that the narator was very excited to go on the adventure even though that it might be a little risky.

Hanna · Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:21 pm

I am currently reading the book. I really like how mysterious it is. Although, like one of my classmates has metioned, it can be really frustrating because one of the narrators are unknown.

Evan · Fri Apr 23, 2010 12:33 am

Thomas Hood wrote:
"We are actors in the Play of History but don't write the script. Considering how unaware we are of ourselves, I don't see how events could have been otherwise."
[Sorry, still not sure how quoting works on this site]

I admit this has been taken out of context, but it meant a lot to me on its own because it made me think of a lot of the key problems in history. Time and again societies have fallen into problems in their interactions simply because they didn't fully understand the complexity in one another. In the Vietnam War the United States failed to understand a deeply-rooted conflict and sought to meet its own ends, underestimating the determination of the people. In the Mongol Empire Yuan sought to rule China, unaware of how deeply rooted Chinese hatred was toward Mongol rule. In the Industrial Period China failed to understand the growing power of Western Europe and underestimated their strength, just as several Islamic Empires had. Western Europe, in turn and as a whole, has often portrayed other countries as primitive and weak in order to justify colonialism and manipulation (applying more to history, rather than the present). Our incomplete understanding has been the root of many of the world's problems.

Penelope · Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:57 am

I agree with you Evan. We don't really understand ourselves, so how can we fully understand other cultures and societies?

But I think we have a need to explore, the planet, earth and seas. And in recent time outer space. I think that is natural to us, to explore. In H of D the problem I had was the trade in Ivory - I could not reconcile myself to such a cruel cargo.

If our motive for exploration is natural curiosity, then that seems OK. Unfortunately that has not usually been our motive, usually it is monetary gain. As has been our reason for going to war, not for altruistic reasons.

I'm sorry this is badly worded, I am suffering from hay-fever and dosed up with anti-histamines, making me even dopier than usual.

To use the quote facility: Block the section you want to quote, press control V. Go to your post place and press control C. Then block it again and press the 'Quote' button at the top of 'Post a Reply' screen. Unless somebody knows an easier way of course.

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