Table of Contents

Introduction; A summary of the plot; What is Heart of Darkness about? How important is the narrator, Marlow? Why do great critics like F.R.Leavis think Heart of Darkness is flawed? When and how does Marlow's "world of straightforward facts" break down? What makes Marlow come to put his faith in Kurtz? How does Marlow learn the truth about Kurtz? How does Marlow think of the jungle? So what is "it"? What does Kurtz mean by "The horror! The horror!"? How significant is Marlow's breakdown? Why does Marlow lie to the Intended? What is so distinctive about Conrad's view of the world? A short chronology.

About the Author

A former Professor of English at Chuo University in Tokyo, and before that a Reader at the University of St Andrews, Graham Bradshaw began his career at Cambridge. He is now an Honorary Professor of English and Fine Arts at the University of Queensland.

Reviews

'This is a subtle and intelligent guide to Conrad's most well-known, most controversial and most mysterious work. If you're going up-river with Marlow, this is the book to take with you.' Philip Pullman