To become fully aware individuals, our identity must be open to all forms of alteration, even if this deviates from our social conditioning. ... The novel begins with Charlie Marlow, along with a few of his friends, sailing aboard the Nellie, a pleasure boat, at the mouth of the Thames outside London. On the boat, Marlow begins to tell of his experiences in the Congo. ... Finally, Marlow arrives at the Central Station where he is forced to stay for several months repairing his boat. ...

• Word Count: 4081
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: High School

Heart of Darkness opens on a boat called "Nellie." ... Before he can meet Kurtz, however, Marlow must remain at the second station for several months to repair his boat. ... As the white men on the steamboat grab their guns and return fire, Kurtz' black helmsman continues to try to steer the boat through shallow, treacherous water. ... With Kurtz on the boat, Marlow finally got his chance to speak face to face with the infamous man. ... As the boat steams down the river, much faster than it had moved up river, a pall of death and quiet falls on the crewmen. ...

• Word Count: 4309
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

The novel opens on the deck of a large sailing vessel called the Nellie. ... The river is dark brown and just barely flowing, the forest becomes so thick right before they reach the inner station that the men aboard the steamer could not even see the savages that would soon ambush their boat. ... As the crew onboard the Nellie wait for the turn of the tide, there are other boats floating on top of the river with their lights gleaming out over the still water. ...

• Word Count: 4389
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School