Following the outline provided below, write a 2500-word research essay for a comparative literature class. The essay should compare Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” and Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.” The essay should have a strong thesis statement and use quotes from the books to support the arguments, as well as citations from scholarly articles, papers, journals, etc.
Outline:
– Introduction
Introduce the primary texts: “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad and “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe.
Present the thesis statement: Analyze how each author presents colonialism and cultural clash, but from different perspectives, Conrad through European eyes and Achebe from an African perspective.
– Literature Review
Summarize key scholarly interpretations and critiques of both novels.
Discuss Achebe’s criticism of “Heart of Darkness” and its portrayal of Africa and Africans.
– Thematic Comparison
Compare and contrast the depiction of colonialism in both novels.
Discuss the representation of African culture and the impact of European imperialism.
– Character Analysis
Compare the protagonists, Okonkwo and Kurtz, and their responses to the clash of cultures.
Analyze the role of secondary characters and how they influence the protagonists’ fates.
– Narrative Style and Point of View
Examine how each author’s narrative style and point of view shape the reader’s understanding of the themes.
Discuss the use of symbolism and metaphor in both novels.
– Conclusion
Summarize the main points of comparison and contrast.
Reinforce the thesis statement by emphasizing each novel’s unique contributions to the discourse on colonialism and cultural identity.
