Thought-provoking, challenging, engaging, and interesting are words that could be used to describe novels read as part of grade 10 academic English curriculum. Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness adopts this definition as is illustrated through the journey of Marlow, the protagonist in the novel, to eventually meet and ultimately interact with the remarkable Kurtz. Books such as Lord of the Flies demonstrate mans inherent evil and innate desire for possessions, while novels such as To Kill A Mockingbird shows the prevalence of slavery and thirst of power throughout mans history. Both are complex themes that warrant discussion and hopefully provoke thought while being the catalyst for class discussion. Heart Of Darkness embodies the maturity and complexity of the themes whilst including the mature stories of slavery, abuse, and thirst for power, all at a much higher standard with the inclusion of man’s greed, and colonialism. Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness illustrates the evils of colonialism which are still very m
uch around today, as man exploits its natural resources in trade of the almighty dollar, whether that be poaching, clear-cut forestry, or open pit mining for gold in the Arctic. Grade 10 academic students should have to read this because the plots and themes of this novel are not investigated as a topic, or shown in other books in the grade 10 curriculum which could provide students with different outlooks. This type of novel could expose students’ minds to the types of events are happening around them in the World and open up room for discussion. The difficult nature of Heart of Darkness could improve their writing skills, vocabulary, ways of description, and understanding of figurative language. Heart of Darkness addresses complex themes such as mans inherent greed, and mans capacity for evil, letting students question, and contemplate human nature; finally, the plot of Heart Of Darkness is surrounded by the evils of colonialism and still reflective of events happening in modern society which need to be addressed.