research paper on characterization from reading the book heart of darkness by joseph conrad
Questions relating to the analysis of CHARACTERIZATION
1. Discuss the protagonist in this novel In terms of flatness or roundness. What purposes are served by her/his flat traits, if any? Discuss any two minor characters in similar terms. For each, justify the degree of flatness or roundness in terms of the character’s contribution to this novel.
2. Evaluate the moral structure of the protagonist:
a. To what degree is her/his moral stature defined by contrasting minor characters, by the testimony of characters who are readily acceptable as witnesses?
b. Discuss the protagonist’s inclinations to specific virtues and vices, her/his powers or handicaps with relation to those virtues and vices.
c. Discuss one or two important actions in which her/his moral stature is apparent.
3. Describe the psychology of the protagonist:
a. What are her/his dominant traits or desires? How did these traits or desires apparently originate? Do they support or oppose one another? Explain.
b. Through what modes of awareness is the protagonist most responsive to life and experience: rational, instinctual, sensory, emotional, intuitive? Explain and illustrate.
c. Discuss the way in which the protagonist takes hold of an emergency. In what terms does she/he see her/his problem? What does she/he maximize or minimize, try to prove or disprove? Do her/his reactions proceed through definite phases? If so, what are they? How may one explain the protagonist’s effectiveness or inadequacy in taking hold of this emergency?
4. In view of all the matters above, what does the author apparently wish us to think and feel about what happens to the protagonist?
5. Is the personality of the protagonist worked out with probability and consistency? Why or why not?
Research Paper Guidelines
You may work ahead of the scheduled dates, but not after. Make sure that you do not get behind. Check the Schedule of Assignments on Syllabus Page 2 for all due dates.
In determining the grade for the paper, I will consider form (mechanics, grammar), content, documentation, and process. Each will affect the final grade for the paper.
- Research papers will have a body of seven to ten (7-10) pages. The paper must also have an outline, and Works Cited page. (These pages are NOT considered as part of the body page count.) You will find a sample research paper, including a sample Works Cited page at the Purdue OWL website. Their website also offers information about outlining; be sure to click through the three subsections regarding outlining. The order of pages in the paper is the outline, body of the paper, then the works cited page. These are all to be saved and sent to me as one document.
- The final Works Cited page will contain seven to eight (7-8) sources. The sources will be derived from appropriate books, periodicals, etc., to denote a variety of sources used; you are expected to begin your research with the CTC library’s online databases. Each of the sources used in the Works Cited must be used at least once in the research paper.
- Cliffs Notes, Pink Monkey, Magill’s Surveys, Barron Notes, Schmoop, Sparknotes, Masterplots, Monarch Notes, eNotes, Gradesaver, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Prezis, essays from paper mills, Wikipedia, and all other similar sources are NOT appropriate.
- You are to follow the MLA 8th edition format and documentation as described at the Purdue OWL site.
- Use direct quotations sparingly (no more than 25% of the paper).
- Be sure topic is sufficiently limited.
- All words should be spelled correctly and errors in sentence structure eliminated.
- The level of diction should be formal (no slang, contractions, jargon, or technical terms without definition).
- The paper should be well written and scholarly.
- All borrowed information must be noted whether quoted or paraphrased.
PLAGIARISM: You are responsible for constructing a research paper based on your own idea about a topic. Any borrowed material must be scrupulously documented. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will result in an F in the course.
PENALTIES: Late paper penalties will be assessed. You are given the assignment at the beginning of the semester with a specific due date in order to have ample time to complete your paper.
