As with “Haunting Olivia,” you will complete a rhetorical analysis of Heart of Darkness that examines an argument Joseph Conrad makes with his work and, more importantly, how he was making it. That is, what tools (rhetorical, literary devices) did he use to make this argument? Be sure to consider elements that are used throughout the text; this may mean focusing on more traditional literary elements (setting, tone, etc). Specific devices (parallel structure, synecdoche, chiasmus, litote, and others) can (and should) be used to emphasis those top-level elements.

Arrive with a proposed thesis that includes two parts: what argument is Conrad making in his novel?; what elements are used to make this argument. THIS IS NOT AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NOVEL, but rather an analysis of the tools by which Conrad develops his argument.