Heart of Darkness Close Reading Section 1

Heart of Darkness Close Reading Section 1, Part 2

At the Outer Station

At this point in the story, Marlow is

• arriving at the first station.

• viewing the Company's work for the first time.

• starting to understand what happens here. Still somewhat on the outside of the 'heart of darkness'.

Instructions

In the next few slides, you will read an excerpt from Section 1 of Heart of Darkness. Select the best answer.

Multiple Choice

(1) "I came upon a boiler wallowing in the grass, then found a path leading up the hill. (2) It turned aside for the boulders, and also for an undersized railway-truck lying there on its back with its wheels in the air. (3) One was off. (4) The thing looked as dead as the carcass of some animal. (5) I came upon more pieces of decaying machinery, a stack of rusty rails.

The boiler is evidence of

• an imposition.

• poorly made machinery.

• the speaker’s interest in technology.

• the wasteful nature of imperialism.

Multiple Choice

(5) I came upon more pieces of decaying machinery, a stack of rusty rails. (6) To the left a clump of trees made a shady spot, where dark things seemed to stir feebly. (7) I blinked, the path was steep.

The “dark things” in line 6 are probably

• dying Africans.

• leaves and vines.

• monsters in the heart of darkness.

• the wind in the tree branches.

Multiple Choice

(9) A heavy and dull detonation shook the ground, a puff of smoke came out of the cliff, and that was all. (10) No change appeared on the face of the rock. (11) They were building a railway. (12) The cliff was not in the way or anything; but this objectless blasting was all the work going on.

The “objectless blasting” supports the speaker's views on

• environmentalism

• improved infrastructure

• good work ethics

• the pointless work of imperialism

Multiple Choice

(23) Behind this raw matter one of the reclaimed, the product of the new forces at work, strolled despondently, carrying a rifle by its middle. (24) He had a uniform jacket with one button off, and seeing a white man on the path, hoisted his weapon to his shoulder with alacrity.

“The reclaimed” in line 23 is

• a job title for the jailer.

• superior to the speaker and outranks him.

• an African now working for the imperialists.

• evidence of the good that came from the “heart of darkness”

Multiple Choice

(25) This was simple prudence, white men being so much alike at a distance that he could not tell who I might be. (26) He was speedily reassured, and with a large, white, rascally grin, and a glance at his charge, seemed to take me into partnership in his exalted trust. (27) After all, I also was a part of the great cause of these high and just proceedings.

The speaker’s tone in line 27 is

• exalted and brutish.

• sarcastic and cynical.

• relieved and gratified.

• spiteful and malicious.

Multiple Choice

...but these men could by no stretch of imagination be called enemies. (20) They were called criminals, and the outraged law...(21) All their meagre breasts panted together, the violently dilated nostrils quivered, the eyes stared stonily uphill. (22) They passed me within six inches, without a glance, with that complete, deathlike indifference of unhappy savages.

The speaker views the “criminals”

• with remorse and empathy.

• with parental concern.

• as a nonthreat.

• as a serious threat to his safety.