How do I revise Heart of Darkness for OCR A-Level?

Plan responses carefully to ensure a focused argument that addresses the key terms of the question and demonstrates independent thought.

What exam tips are there for Heart of Darkness? (2)

Integrate critical perspectives where relevant, such as feminist, psychoanalytic, or postcolonial readings, to enrich analysis.

What exam tips are there for Heart of Darkness? (3)

Use precise literary terminology (e.g., 'modernist', 'frame narrative', 'impressionism', 'symbolism') to show technical awareness.

What mistakes should I avoid in Heart of Darkness?

Treating Marlow as a straightforward mouthpiece for Conrad or reading the text as an uncomplicated autobiographical account.

What are common errors in Heart of Darkness exams? (2)

Oversimplifying the critique of imperialism by ignoring the text's ambivalence and its portrayal of Africans.

Heart of Darkness

OCR

A-Level

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is a modernist novella that critiques European imperialism through the story of Marlow's journey into the African interior to meet the enigmatic Kurtz. At A-Level, students analyze its complex narrative structure, symbolic use of light and darkness, and the psychological and philosophical ambiguities that challenge readers to question the nature of civilization, savagery, and morality. The study encompasses historical context, postcolonial debates, and a range of critical interpretations.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for demonstrating a clear understanding of the historical context of Belgian colonial exploitation in the Congo.
Award credit for detailed analysis of Conrad's literary techniques, such as symbolism, imagery, and narrative voice.
Award credit for engaging with postcolonial criticism, including Achebe's famous critique, and presenting a balanced argument.
Award credit for using textual evidence effectively to support interpretations and for maintaining a coherent line of argument.
Award credit for recognizing the multiple layers of meaning and the role of the reader in constructing interpretation.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for demonstrating a clear understanding of the historical context of Belgian colonial exploitation in the Congo.
Award credit for detailed analysis of Conrad's literary techniques, such as symbolism, imagery, and narrative voice.
Award credit for engaging with postcolonial criticism, including Achebe's famous critique, and presenting a balanced argument.
Award credit for using textual evidence effectively to support interpretations and for maintaining a coherent line of argument.
Award credit for recognizing the multiple layers of meaning and the role of the reader in constructing interpretation.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Plan responses carefully to ensure a focused argument that addresses the key terms of the question and demonstrates independent thought.
💡Integrate critical perspectives where relevant, such as feminist, psychoanalytic, or postcolonial readings, to enrich analysis.
💡Use precise literary terminology (e.g., 'modernist', 'frame narrative', 'impressionism', 'symbolism') to show technical awareness.
💡Balance thematic discussion with close textual analysis of specific passages, paying attention to language, form, and structure.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Treating Marlow as a straightforward mouthpiece for Conrad or reading the text as an uncomplicated autobiographical account.
Oversimplifying the critique of imperialism by ignoring the text's ambivalence and its portrayal of Africans.
Neglecting the significance of the frame narrative and the character of the unnamed narrator on the Nellie.
Confusing themes of darkness and savagery with a racist representation, without considering the novel's deliberate ambiguity and modernist complexity.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Colonialism and imperialism

Moral ambiguity and darkness

Narrative frame and uncertainty

Civilization versus savagery

Psychological descent

Symbolism of light and dark

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Heart of Darkness

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level English Literature

Comparative and contextual study

Beloved

Literature post-1900

Literature post-1900