Video SparkNotes: Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness summary

Check out Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Video SparkNote: Quick and easy Heart of Darkness synopsis, analysis, and discussion of major characters and themes in the novel. For more Heart of Darkness resources, go to www.sparknotes.com/lit/heart. For a translation of the entire book into modern English, go to No Fear Literature at www.sparknotes.com/nofear/lit/.

[@angie-noh8]

i listened to the audio book, i read every chapter summery, and i watched this video. i will literally do everything but read this book

[@chloeanne4473]

BHAHAA STOP THIS IS ME RIGHT NOW.

[@craniax3651]

Hey if you read this i have book presentation on this book would you mind going into deeper details with me about this book

[@jamesholeman7594]

Right? It’s so thin and unimposing, but an ex told me it’s her favorite book. So here I am, out of spite-ish.

[@angie-noh8]

@@jamesholeman7594 i’m not a fan but then again i didn’t technically read it

[@jamesholeman7594]

@@angie-noh8 the anti-fan league just wrote a charter 😂

[@shuxiongbao2535]

The animator of these series should write graphic novels

[@CockatielPony]

Animator? this video doesn't have any animation in it only illistrations

[@masonhill775]

CockatielPony animation is just illustrations

[@eclipsewrecker]

@@masonhill775 “just?” I don’t think you know what the word animation means.

[@Brandonhayhew]

Animation is far more expansive then illustration

[@matthewmorgan7755]

Nah

[@johnhein2539]

The narrator didn’t talk about the best part. When Marlo told his Fiancé that Kurtz’s last words were her name. Her eyes light up and she jumps jubilantly in pure ecstasy. It disturbs Marlo as he realizes it’s the exact same love the tribal members expressed in their devotion. A link between civilized and uncivilized.

[@AedanBlackheart]

It's mid

[@astronautsingh8793]

When you're too lazy to even read the sparknotes

[@madisonaustin9394]

And the essay is due tomorrow

[@Erica-co8si]

Exactly right

[@jamesholeman7594]

I have to clean my house to something, man.

[@wannabe1me927]

Me

[@bostonblackie9503]

Catch up with modern times!

[@Galvion1980]

Fun fact: In "King Kong - Skull Island", Tom Hiddleston's character is named Conrad after Joseph Conrad, to emphasize the anti-colonialist themes of the film.

[@rogue7723]

Cool. _Apocalypse Now_ is also heavily inspired by this novel.

[@amadeosendiulo2137]

And Joseph Conrad (or Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski) is named after Konrad from the Polish romantic book ‘Forefather’s Eve III’ by Adam Mickiewicz.

[@lol0lol0lol]

I’m trying to watch the video but I keep scrolling through the comments seeing people who had suffered as I currently am

[@abbasjafiya21]

I'm a Black African, Nigerian to be precise, and The Heart Of Darkness is my favorite of all time. I deliberately avoided it because of what many African and western intellectuals said. About it being racist and what not but I will say the following things. 1.the Book was published in 1899 so we all know what the attitudes were then. 2. Marlo is definitely not racist. He expressed allot of empathy for the Black Characters in the story and endearing terms like "beautiful" & "peaceful" etc are used to describe his observations of them. 3. Africa was indeed dark, especially the Congo and considering the Cannibalism,Human Sacrifice etc that was going on... if you take modern 21st century Africans to the Setting the book describes,they'd probably have worse views than Marlo,Kurtz,The Russian and Conrad himself all combined. 4. It's a book about the Human Condition. The Darkness within us all, our susceptibility to Power and the tendency in us all to pave the road to Hell with our good intentions. So let's get over all the grievance-mongering and let's enjoy this great book with it's wonderful lessons all races can learn from and enjoy. Peace !

[@rainmanslim4611]

Very insightful, thank you for sharing

[@JarmaraFalconer]

Thank you for your interesting insight from your point of view.

[@kikikutie12]

It's definitely one of those books that people get hung up on the racism of the time period rather than the real message of the book.

[@aleccourtney8486]

abbasjafiya21 i find your view refreshing, as a white american i find the burning of "rascist" books and destroying southern confederate statues just proves how fearful white America is about confronting our past so as not to repeat it , i bet many who burn crosses were there tearing down statues of confederate leaders

[@kamenridernephilim]

There is a malaise and stagnation hanging over society and culture. One of the causes of it are the politically correct academics that push Marxism, socialism, and communism. In turn it produces people that fail to understand where they came from, where they are, and where are they going. They know only what the party tells and cannot take things for what they are. Their grievance mongering as you put is part of the outrage mob and band of useful idiots.

[@kimitursi762]

You know a book is confusing when you can't even follow the sparknotes summary

[@ashton8540]

Have you seen the movie apocalypse now?

[@ChloePricesNumberOneSimp]

@@ashton8540 I recognized "the horror, the horror" line from that movie. Was it based on this book?

[@watchagainsoon]

@@ChloePricesNumberOneSimp Yes. It was!

[@oliverallen5324]

"It’s impossible for words to describe what is necessary to those who do not know what horror means. " -Colonel Kurtz, 5th Group Special Forces Apocalypse Now(1979)

[@sajmaniqbaler]

ap lit is not lit

[@Vdeezy123]

me currently...

[@esteffanyayala]

Sajid Iqbal lol me right now

[@TehBluPanda]

Sajid Iqbal Same ;-;

[@chloejimenez9484]

Honestly

[@Moon-ut7fq]

Yeah i was suppose to read this book over break and couldnt get a good idea of how the story works. Now i am scared to go to my english class because we're going to write an argumentative essay on this book /:

[@tristanking8821]

I find this funny; the only reason I'm watching this is because the book was so short but long enough that I couldn't read it before the test so I watched this. Otherwise the book I had was about 70 pages so I don't know why anyone wouldn't just sit down and read it since it really only took me about three hours. Overall I skimmed the book first, then carefully analyzed it a second time, then finally I read it normally a third time. Then I watched this and compared it to what I knew. Surprisingly there is still plenty of information I didn't catch when I was reading and this still is a big help. I would recommend to those who haven't read the book yet to watch this about three times then read the book normally and I would think you would find the book much easier to understand if it was confusing. It may be short but there is a great amount of info in it. Oh and about the video and the speaker summarizing it. Very well done, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your summery and thought it meshed together very well therefore letting me easily follow along.

[@yuggoth69]

I just hope your teacher won't recommend Tolstoi's "War and Peace" :)

[@maryorellana8982]

i tried so hard to read this damn book but Conrad repeats "brooding gloomy" interchangeably way too often...

[@wilfreddamon1971]

You may now just be ready for Adam Hochchild's "King Leopold's Ghost"

[@leighfoulkes7297]

The problem with Conrad is that English isn't his first language (I think he is Russian) and then add the fact that he is a bit of a modernist too.

[@NoName-uf6rf]

Sometimes English teachers pick good books

[@reeree.360]

Oh my god thank you so much, it makes so much sense now. I have never had so much trouble reading something for class, and then my AP Lit & Comp online gives me this and I wanna cry

[@pokhtoonawaaz4295]

Hmmm try to study the whole story in the book text this is of course more interesting than any Short clips...

[@diego8111996]

There is a deeper theme to this book: it is that an individual not being able to understand himself & mankind not being able to understand the universe.

[@jonwilhelm1067]

Or maybe it's about a man seeing and understanding others and not liking what he see's because he understands completely.

[@patthewoodboy]

@Annie Mouse hes not saying that at all , if you dont understand I am not going to explain , thats for Jon Wilhelm if he wants to.

[@j.r5159]

@Annie Mouse yea

[@satan9866]

@Annie Mouse I think they were referring to man’s nature, not skin color

[@rjwest5392]

Joseph Conrad's native language was Polish. He learnt English in his 20s. He wrote in an exquisitely clear fashion. At 0:10:00, I was shocked to see that this book is available into "modern English translation". To which I gasp my final "the horror!, the horror!"

[@lachlank.8270]

Mistah conrad - he dead

[@TheManwithafan]

A very heavy book.

[@obscureentertainment8303]

yeah, I can't even lift it.

[@jordanharris4339]

The book is less than 100 pages

[@DougieDougieBubuGug]

Jordan Harris Youre not only carrying the books weight, youre carrying the sins of the European Imperialists.

[@yagzyalcntas553]

Obscure Ent. 500 paged books are easier to read than this thing tho..

[@Kleptomaniac66]

Obligatory Black Guy he's not referring to the length of the book. This book requires more thought and concentration to understand than most novels.

[@gog_magpie]

That book inspired hell well to make Apocalypse now . I think this describes the inner unbalance of consciousness , the subconscious, the ego , the dark self [ the primitive one] and it's journey of how humans are capable of doing things regardless of the initial assumption when the dark self consume

[@nothingistrue13]

Just finished reading this. I will, most assuredly, be reading this again at one point or another. It was enjoyable, albeit a little over my head, reading the descent into darkness that Marlow finds himself on.

[@stylesalvation]

You know it's a bad year already when this book is on my final exam... and the summary doesn't even do it justice. This book is like oatmeal, just plain oatmeal... no sugar and no spice.

[@Ares_gaming_117]

+amszk Sorry not everything in life can produce immense stimulation, just try and take the time to appreciate this intelligent work of art that is this book.

[@stylesalvation]

Funny you say that! After writing my essay for it I've come to appreciate it more. Conrad was really ahead of his time to reject the ideology of colonialism and it was also really brave of him to do so. Although at times the novella is hard to catch on to, reading it a second time and having a bit more background knowledge on the issues of that time has really changed my mind on this.

[@Ares_gaming_117]

+amszk I'm really glad to hear that! Yes the book can drag on in places but so long as the main message is not overlooked, all is well. It makes me really happy when people can appreciate good literature like this and objectively realize it for what it was and the themes it conveyed beyond the narrative. That is good for you that you came around to appreciate this book. :)

[@stylesalvation]

bahhaha loving how we're using food to explain it lol

[@jaz1756]

i want to read this book so bad and i actually have to read it for my lit class, but i can't get past the first 5 pages because it makes me fall asleep lol. i think i might just listen to the audio version while i read so i dont get too bored.

[@valty3727]

read the book and was really confused at parts. this is great for visualising. i’d recommend people who haven’t read the book yet to watch this, because you already know the whole plot from the premise. man goes into the heart of darkness. no twists here folks

[@iamryancarl]

I found this summary really helpful to watch before reading the text. The illustrations gave me something to visualize and reference while reading. Thanks!

[@Kurtlane]

I just finished reading "Heart of Darkness." To boil down this incredible, complicated, profound, soul-searching work to "it's about imperialism" is a travesty. It's about you and it's about me,

[@julio5prado]

I can’t agree more. But saying “is about imperialism” attracts attention among the morons who are unable to read the book in its full depth

[@poego6045]

Why not both?

[@genesistafari9006]

Imperialism is a huge part, though not the only

[@Kurtlane]

@@genesistafari9006 , in this case, look for inner imperialist in yourself. If you look hard enough, you will find him, in one shape or another.

[@paplar9744]

Great book

[@cowboybeanz]

try reading it a second time, that helped me a lot. Also imagine that someone is telling you the story rather than just reading the text like an ordinary book

[@warrenpierce5542]

Nostromo is another book by Conrad that is very good. Fun fact Nostromo is also the name of the ship in the 1979 movie, Alien.

[@kingnothing3523]

So here's a hot take: Far Cry 3 is Heart of Darkness from the perspective of Kurtz. What I'm about to say was probably not intended by the game's developer, especially given that Far Cry 2 was an actual adaptation of HoD, but I'm gonna take a stab at it anyway. The vague nature of Kurtz's backstory leaves his transition from "civilized" to "savage" leaves a lot to the imagination, and I believe that Kurtz's understanding from industrialized England was so out of touch with his surroundings that he HAD to adapt or die. This is the position that Jason found himself in after being abducted by the pirates of Rook Island and then rescued by the Rakyat. He begins to think about solutions that make sense to his first-world background, but having not the means or the support to think about this for more than a minute Jason is immediately pressed into the natives' turf war against the pirates. He is forced to submit to the violent ways of the Rakyat, as Kurtz began executing "rebels" and competitors. The prophecy that casts Jason as a great warrior and leader even reflects Kurtz's appearance to the African natives as a deity. Jason's friends are essentially Marlowe, the link back to his prior understanding as a "civilized" person that tries to bring him home, but is kept somewhat out of the picture until the end. Jason's choice whether to leave Rook Island with his friends or join the Rakyat for good is Marlowe's confrontation with Kurtz outside the African camp; Jason choosing to return home represents the death of the warrior, as HoD ended, but Jason killing his friends and taking his position within the Rakyat is the alternate ending in which Kurtz alerts the tribe and Marlowe is killed. So this whole theory is full of holes, but the root is that Kurtz's change of character before the arrival of Marlowe is forced and understandable; in a situation where madness and violence reign, becoming the warrior is the new normal.

[@SugarGlossStar]

Oh my jesus I read the book and when I was done, I couldn't really figure out what the plot was. Then I looked on here. Thanks sparknotes. :)

[@ryanmedina4477]

Thank you so much for this video!! It really helped me to understand what was going on, especially towards the end of the novella.

[@LKaterina425]

I study in the English department in Athens and this book was really thought-provoking. I read in the comments that many expected to find a more exciting plot and a climax in it but I think the purpose of the book is philosophy, to raise questions about race and civilisation, which is quite remarkable If we think when it was written!

[@enzo7525]

Correct!

[@i_so_late]

nope, read the first 20 pages twice, still had no idea what was happening. read all the sparknotes, got a general good idea for the plot, but still confused. This has now helped a lot.

[@PogueMahone1]

One must question what passes for 'college material' these days...

[@ColombianThunder]

@@PogueMahone1 it's a good book. But i will agree the 1st 50 or so pages are SLOOWW and hard to get through. However, the 3rd chapter and the last half of the 2nd, are legitimately genius.

[@sophielorber4571]

@@PogueMahone1 One must question who you think you are that you are the one to decide who counts as college material or not.

[@matthewwohl951]

Great concise summary. Nothing will replace the mood via diction... but this video provides some great illustrations and a great support to students who are totally lost by the plot.

[@corrinabrink5948]

okay... "and his blood gets all over Marlow's shoes"...? Wow. Couldn't have said that more warmly than you sir narrator.

[@soulnaakseolee1043]

Thank you for the help. I'm gonna read it again anyway. This is so beautifully written. I now understand how it is considered one of the most important literary piece in history.

[@beardywilson7876]

To describe Heart of Darkness as being about imperialism is seemingly like describing Star Wars as being about space travel. It's the backdrop, not the subject matter.

[@concorde3980]

I almost closed the video right away

[@jennymacallan9071]

That's a great analogy.

[@beardywilson7876]

@Lucy Splendid I'm starting to wonder if we read the same book. Conrad clearly illustrates his contempt for the people who went to Africa to exploit the land and people. Marlow's description of the Eldorado exploration expedition as reckless, cruel and greedy is certainly illustrative of that point and not a solitary example. But to say colonialism is the central theme is to miss the point entirely. The central theme really is more how a civilised person who goes into the wilderness with all the altruistic intentions of taming it instead is made wild by it. Very much like Neitzche's point that when you stare into the abyss the abyss stares into you. Kurtz, a talented musician, orator writer, went out to Africa with all the best intentions but instead became a savage. And it cannot be said that savage practices were uncommon amongst the natives in the book. Even some of the crew wanted to catch and eat a person. That's why Conrad repeatedly refers to "the heart of an impenetrable darkness." The darkness cannot be penetrated. It penetrates those who try.

[@TryinBin8889]

Beardy Wilson they didn’t say it was the centeral idea. It is still a concern.

[@beardywilson7876]

@@TryinBin8889 "heart of darkness is about imperialism".....the opening statement of the video.....

[@georgecurtis1302]

Comment on my behalf, it is Marlow and not the Manager who estimates that it will take 3 months to fix the boat, the Manager certainly does not "urge Marlow to hurry". On the contrary, the Manager has no desire to get to Kurtz quickly as he wants to take Kurtz' position.

[@swarlaa2486]

George Curtis I know it’s been years since you commented on this but it is the manager that says in will take 3 months to fix the boat, Marlow even wonders how the manager knew such specifics.

[@IndigoMist44]

Its been a couple of years since the comments; however, I believe Marlow says it would take “months” to fix the steamer and the Manager states 3 months, to which Marlow remarks on how nice/generous the Manager had been with the time allotted. The exact quote on page 28 says: “Afterwards I took it back when it was borne in upon me startlingly me with what extreme nicety he had estimated the time requisite for the ‘affair’ ” (Conrad 28).

[@Basicc]

I really enjoyed my honors class until I had to read and write about this novel....

[@markjosephcasacop8440]

More summary videos please! We need this more in 2021

[@velocitor3792]

Love the illustrations- hat's off to the artist!

[@xxjanzxx]

These summaries are great!

[@n1k2ful]

This was so so helpful, thank you! Now i won't completely fail my coursework!

[@randstahl4869]

Heart of Darkness is a favorite novella read several times. Is interesting listening (and reading close caption ) of the sparks summary -- enrichment of the reading experience occurs.

[@mohsin584]

@Sparknotes : I read the trxt book and came to this interpretation- you have done it effectively... ✌🏻

[@frankreed7560]

I personally love this book. It was the book that inspired the movie "Apocalypse Now" and the video game "Spec-ops The Line"

[@riiddisbuk2496]

And Far Cry 2 from what I've heard. Spec Ops: The Line is easily the best of them. So much so that I was inspired to plan a story with the similar concept.

[@riiddisbuk2496]

Also 10th like.

[@briansheehan5256]

@@riiddisbuk2496 Really though, when you look at Jason Brody's transformation from scared rich kid to insane jungle killer, Far Cry 3 is more like Heart of Darkness.

[@riiddisbuk2496]

@@briansheehan5256 I don't know anything about Far Cry 3, but it sounds haunting.

[@briansheehan5256]

@@riiddisbuk2496 It's incredibly immersive.. the first FPS I've played where you're not some hulking badass, but a timid kid who is forced to become a hard-core survivalist in the jungle. I'll put it this way, in the beginning I was looking for plants to craft with, and I was cautiously watching for gators as I stepped into a lake in broad daylight. Near the end of the game, I was swimming up a river through a dark cave fearlessly, saying to myself "I dare a gator to attack me in my river. This is my jungle."

[@mateotress3855]

Who’s here in 2020 ap lit?

[@breezykersey1122]

Me

[@John-lf3xf]

Mateo Tress You are lucky if you are reading this in AP Literature.

[@jeneedionne7901]

Meee

[@princessofatoaster5441]

Howdy 😭 independent project and this was the shortest book on the list

[@seanmathis7605]

2021

[@eviez-bh7lh]

This has actually helped me understand the book more that the lectures for my honors english class could have ever done. Thank god I found this video I have a test tomorrow and need a good grade since I am failing the class.

[@yokosh2207]

thank you .... perfect way for story telling

[@cha5]

Who was the artist who illustrated this summary? I really liked his art and it's somewhat familiar somehow, I think I may have seen his art in some graphic novel maybe.

[@timgerritsen6243]

Matt Wiegle

[@cha5]

Tim Gerritsen Thanks. :-)

[@CyberneticOrganism01]

but that Kurtz doesn't look like Marlon Brando 😄

[@leandrotarsia7212]

I watched the video to compare my own notes after reading and ejoying the book several times. Especially having watched Apocalipsys Now the insights into human nature, western civilization and ritualistic cultures are fascinating. The amount of comments from people seemingly unable to understand or even finish the book is worrysome to say the least. Saddening would be a better word.

[@patch8880]

One of my favourite classics.

[@rustyjames1727]

Great book. Had to read it a few times to really enjoy it.

[@ruinima3563]

In 3 years nearly 185 thousand people had the exact same as me- to watch this video instead of actually reading the book!

[@rileynorton1097]

Sorry you are missing out on such a landmark piece of insightful literature. This SparkNote is great to help clarify the events, but Conrad's prose is not worth missing. There is meaning in every line. Instead of dust, this book must just accumulate weight and significance.

[@yuggoth69]

Well, just keep cheating yourself in this way in every dreed you make, choose the easiest and shortest way, and you'll see how it goes in your life...

[@toblurrz]

3 more years have passed and we're closing up on 600 thousand of us

[@ghidam2969]

I have a final in college about this novel so i have to get as much info about it as possible😂

[@PogueMahone1]

That's nothing for anyone to be proud about.

[@hammerite6418]

I just can’t see where people in this comment section are coming from I loved this book it’s themes about humanity were ahead of its time probably my favorite book ever

[@zariavparvez467]

This video saved my grades and possibly my life.

[@kamrunnisha8016]

I really love your videos and summarise. Love you Sparknotes....

[@mjb42280]

This book made its own Archetype. Only things like Hamlet usually do that. Heart of Darkness vs. Moby Dick is one of the best Literary Fights you could ever Fight. The horror. The horror.

[@1xXitachiXx1]

i think that true, there are racial themes accurate to that of the time period, but the actual focus is about a man who is highly regarded by society turned into the utter savage/ visceral human base. It makes me really ponder the idea of the true depths of human despair and the perceptions from those whom have not experienced it.

[@bellairefondren7389]

The racial themes of this book cannot be understood separately from the imperialist "setting" of the book. It was the socioeconomic conditions of imperialism and the moral justification of imperialist exploitation that shaped the actions of the characters of the book. The exploitative nature of the Congo Free State along with the "we must civilize the natives" moral justification for imperialism shaped why Kurtz "turned into the utter savage/ visceral human base"

[@olympian3]

@@bellairefondren7389 It was Kurtz' want and need to steal Ivory for the company that made him a monster. This feeling he had of 1. being able to use advanced western techniques to hold sway over his villagers and 2. to use them for his own ends that made him what he was. But the biggest terror is that the whole company including Marlow are dependent on Kurtz, and the final lesson is really that no matter how good we are, every society including our own relies on Kurtz types.

[@bellairefondren7389]

​@@olympian3 Kurtz did manipulate his company resources to hold sway over the Congolese, but if we focus too much on the individual characters, even Kurtz, we risk not acknowledging how this book was a fairly accurate portrayal of the horrors of the Congo Free State. We risk overlooking how European investment into resource extraction in the Congo, the ideology of colonial imperialism and acceptance by both the Congo Free State and the companies in the Congo of terrorizing the Congolese led Kurtz to be what he became.

[@olympian3]

@@bellairefondren7389 Exactly! Was definitely my point. The entire system was reliant on and fed off of Kurtz' terrible practices, or rather the practices of people such as Kurtz. It really is a great example of how larger systems can promote terrible practices. Kurtz had gone into the congo with much greater idealism and morality and the system helped to tear his humanity apart. However on the other end it was Kurtz' decision to participate in this system when it comes down to it. At any point he could've left Africa. A question this book begs: are atrocities committed by the systems of power which allow for them, or the people who willingly participate in them for gain?

[@bellairefondren7389]

@@olympian3 I would argue the book, given that it is a fictionalized but fairly realistic telling of the Congo Free State, shows how the idealism of the era is much more twisted than how it might appear. For example, Kurtz's idealism comes from the era he was born in to: an idealism about civilizing the natives fit nicely with the aim of the colonial powers and Leopold. As such, Kurtz's idealism segued nicely into the brutal tactics he employed to "civilize" the natives. In terms of atrocities, I would argue that the systems provide the framework in which people commit atrocities, whether it be morphing people to commit terrible acts, or encouraging people with twisted morality to join in.

[@shanebagel]

I love these videos, keep up the good stuff, dudes

[@tbdonnelly67]

After watching this I understand "Apocalypse Now" much better. Thanks for posting!

[@mrzazzaable]

I like how apocalypse now did a bullet through the chest in replace of a arrow on the boat.

[@sirderpington7704]

So do you feel like a hero yet? Something you are not?

[@constantinexi6489]

Damn, that game was amazing

[@TheKooster31]

do you smell that?

[@HeavyMetalPootis]

That game inspired me to read the book. It was magnificent.

[@protonjones54]

Sir Derpington Which game are you referring to?

[@sirderpington7704]

***** spec ops the line

[@BanditofYTP]

Thank you so much, I am in the academic decathlon at school and we are reading this book now.

[@ajsztehlo]

the greatest recitation of "the horror the horror" ever.

[@Xemeets94]

Most of the students at my didn't even bother to read the book, but when I looked into the spark notes and read a little, I realized that Joseph was a genius! I like the book now and I would consider it as one of my favorites on my book shelf.

[@bertoberr]

My right ear really enjoyed this video.

[@roshnichandwani6138]

What about your left?

[@bertoberr]

My left was death.

[@roshnichandwani6138]

wow sounds painful

[@bertoberr]

Lol did you hear the video? :P

[@kelsisdabomb]

HEART OF DARKNESS SUCKS

[@dhirahb4752]

Thank you !! You really helped me out here!!

[@gerhardrinkens2115]

Great book.... great reading..... if you have the experience preceding it. It brought close the utter desolation and loneliness when living far beyond our zone of comfort and familiarity. It is of bare survival ....

[@Uben-Dover]

The idea of civilized savagery was also touched upon by George Romero in Night of the Living Dead where the human (civilized) survivors are brutally and savagely exterminating the zombies (cannibals) in massive burn piles. Romero said in an interview that he often depicted the humans as the bad guys instead of the zombies. It’s interesting I say this since zombies have a connection with west African voodoo from Haiti, itself a colony that descended into madness caused by colonialism.

[@kilssj2250]

ABS - Jakes put it best when he says: "It's a book about the Human Condition. The Darkness within us all, our susceptibility to Power and the tendency in us all to pave the road to Hell with our good intentions. So let's get over all the grievance-mongering and let's enjoy this great book with it's wonderful lessons all races can learn from and enjoy. Peace!"

[@CKCzut08]

I really enjoyed the last part of the book.

[@kylewagner3052]

Notice how apocalypse now used heart of darkness characters in a brilliant way that defined the movie and made it a classic. The horror the horror.

[@giannisgourniez1442]

I am so glad I found this video. I am sitting an examination tomorrow and one of the texts examined is this one. It's so huge to study it from Norton Anthology. So, what's best than watching this? :D

[@bladeserrated]

Wow listening to this after playing spec ops and I see where and how the devs were inspired from this and apocalypse now

[@mcwarhol17]

Thank you so much, very well detailed!

[@paddywashere9812]

Thank you for these vids they are very inspiring. The art world is great who did the art work

[@agdog7]

This was the first book I read that my teacher told me to read Sparknotes... haha if that gives an insight into the complexity of the book

[@riiddisbuk2496]

10th like.

[@francescc5272]

I recommend you the book Heart of Darkness: Search for the Unconscious by Gary Adelman. I found it way more interesting than Conrad's, and it makes more easy a second reading.

[@MissRikkiKat]

Great book and a great video!

[@ramandua5089]

Sparksnotes is awesome... I have passed all my exams just studying on SN...

[@mortalhellion]

Very well done summary of the classic novella "Heart of Darkness." What kind of program was used to do the artworks? Those are really well done too.

[@pineapple1041]

@Lynn Turman: Please don't waste your pity on me. Just because I'm an English major does not mean I'm required to enjoy all books. Again everyone has their own writing styles which they enjoy. To say all people are going to like Shakespeare, Dickens and Blake like I do would be preposterous. And since you loved the book so much that you feel the need to belittle anyone who does not, let me ask you why you are watching the SparkNotes video summary?

[@prarthanadutta1401]

Very well explained thanks

[@KirigayaHayato]

Thank you very much for this.

[@appujosephjose6129]

Conrad's writing is a challenge. All the action is concealed under a flurry of words.

[@TheGhostOperative]

it is said that Kurtz was the based on Leon Rom who was the administrator of congo free state.

[@CTMiata07]

i love sparknotes...help me to do my homework

[@thelamergamer1894]

Thanks. Now I can write my essay and know what I am talking about.

[@katsan88]

I wish i had this when i was in high school. We had to read the cliff note books lol.

[@LearnerChess]

You missed out on reading one of the greatest books of all time.

[@LearnerChess]

Michael Jordan So? Either way, he's missed out on reading a truly great novel, unless of course he's read the book and is using the Cliff Notes or Sparknotes video to get further insights. But I've worked with kids--and they ain't looking for further insights or to read a book that isn't vampire-related Fantasy or Romance.

[@LearnerChess]

Michael Jordan Okie dokie. :)

[@noorajohn6926]

@@LearnerChess wow 7 years later, and nothing has changed. Mind you, this is coming from a student. :)

[@LearnerChess]

@@noorajohn6926 I remember making those comments. Doesn't seem like seven years. Time flies.

[@aarondecker7980]

Anyone else here because they didn't read the stupid book and they have an essay about it tomorrow?

[@esteffanyayala]

Aaron Decker me currently lol

[@thewhitewolf58]

Aaron Decker I heard so much shit about it and my ass it too lazy to read it

[@hannah7936]

you called? lol

[@lucasargandona4658]

I read that shit with 12% understanding it. I only got the really important events that were also showed in this tiny clip

[@andreamouton2230]

Today actually🙄

[@Pheonixnoob]

Oh god you have AWESOME DRAWINGS!!!

[@citlalidelgado7754]

best summary video ever

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

WOW... ...It sounds JUST LIKE the movie “Apocalypse Now” with Crazy Colonel Walter E Kurtz but set in Vietnam.

[@purvdragon-sensei]

andrew beattie Please say sike.

[@dawidsnyders5476]

@@purvdragon-sensei Broooooo, almost shat myself laughing when I read this.

[@mjb42280]

Rider Haggard. Conrad's plot was largely based on Haggard's actual experience.

[@progrocker2112]

I like the Spec Ops: The line interpretation in which Marlow was actually Kurtz who was just a phantom scapegoat of the own brutalities he himself committed.

[@orcs_blood1793]

needed this for school thanks:)

[@Vinegaroon]

I actually found the book to be interesting

[@Lizardking311]

Said no one ever

[@pottingsoil]

It is, but my copy is so poorly laid out that it was unpleasant at times.

[@gnomeimporta6912]

@@Lizardking311 ratio'd, stay mad

[@evanm320]

Spec ops the line, anyone?

[@joshguye]

'Spec Ops: The Line' was based on Heart of Darkness.

[@Ares_gaming_117]

+Evan M YES! I am currently playing it and I too realized this! Thankfully Im not the only one

[@dhruvo100]

I knew i would find comments like this one

[@PTEC]

Love the art

[@artinallahverdian2166]

Really helpful thanks!

[@nykia007]

It left out most of the book!

[@rulerofbeanvillage1716]

I have heard that Apocalypse Now sort of follows this story.

[@LearnerChess]

It very much follows this story. Both are masterpieces in their respective media. You won't regret reading the book. Conrad is one of the all-time greats.

[@EnergyxyzLightShadow]

can you do comic book - graphic novels?

[@nirotv3708]

thanks this video helped me a lot