Africa+Period+Four+Day+Four


 * Africa Period Four Day Four **


 * Due: Top Ten Components Handout **

__Watch Preview Video about Leopold II__


 * Read Mark Twain's "King Leopold's Soliloquy and identify Twain's claims about United States involvement in the Belgium leader's rise to power in the Congo. **

The Heart of Darkness was considered one of the greatest works of literature in the early part of the 1900's. Never before had European audiences read about the mysterious nature of the 'Dark Continent'. It is believed that Conrad used the life of Henry Morton Stanley who was an explorer funded by King Leopold II of Belgium. Stanley took his crew into the deepest parts of the area known today as the Congo. Initially, Stanley was a celebrated explorer. However, as reports surfaced of Stanley's treatment of African natives and his own men, his knighthood was tainted. Stanley is now remembered infamously for horrific treatment of African natives and for fostering racism.
 * Wikispace Assignment[[image:heart-of-darkness-attack.jpg width="344" height="410" align="right"]] **

Today, the short novella remains one of the most controversial discussed works. Many accuse Conrad of shaping European's racism towards Africa and others believe that the characters were merely just that: characters.

**Assignment:** First, read a summary about the book. [|__Click here for summary._]

[|_] Go to mrsoverly.wikispace under Heart of Darkness Period 4 (depending on your class). See directions on our wikispace site. You will need to reply to at least three different posts. Discuss Wikispace Posts about //Heart of Darkness//
 *  Class **

Introduce Chinua Achebe