Write a summary of two novels that you have to read and write a 1000 essay about the novel.
Write a minimum of 1,000 words on ONE of the following:
1) While your beloved English instructor is very low on Symbolism, as you well know, it's inescapable in both Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness. For the purpose of this essay, focus on the symbolism of light and dark in both novels. How does it affect character? Outcome?
2) Both Okonkwo and Kurtz are monumental failures. Is it their characters or their cultures that cause their downfalls? Is the fault in themselves or their settings? Or both?
3) In both Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness Achebe and Conrad present an Africa that is rife with foreign elements. Describe the effect these elements have on the indigenous cultures. Having done that, what larger conclusions do you think the writers are drawing about Africa?
4) Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness are written in entirely different styles, fable in the former, impressionism in the latter. Give clear examples of both. Which do you think is more effective -- and why?
5) Things Fall Apart and Heart of Darkness provide two entirely different views of women. Compare, contrast, and critique: is the treatment of women fair? Why or why not?
FIRST HINT: Guys who ace the course actually quote the texts. Guys who don't merely summarize.
SECOND HINT: If you don't interest yourself when you write your exam, you will bore me to tears. Guys who bore me to tears don't do well in my courses. Write about something that excites you!