English Literature books summary

Gulliver explains that the horses are trained from a young age to be tame

and obedient. He describes the state of humanity in Europe and is asked to

speak more specifically of his own country.

Part IV, Chapters 5-12

Summary

Gulliver describes the state of affairs in Europe over the course of

two years, speaking to the Houyhnhnms of the English Revolution and the war

with France. He is asked to explain the causes of war, and he does his best

to provide reasons. He is also asked to speak of law and the justice

system, which he does in some detail.

The discussion then turns to other topics, such as money and the

different kinds of food eaten in Europe. Gulliver explains the different

occupations in which people are involved, including service professions

such as medicine and construction.

Gulliver develops such a love for the Houyhnhnms that he no longer

desires to return to humankind. However, fate has other plans for him. His

Master tells him that he has considered all of his claims about his home

country and has come to the conclusion that his people are not as different

from the Yahoos as they may first have seemed. He describes all the aws of

the Yahoos, principally detailing their greed and selfishness. He admits

that the humans have different systems of learning, law, government, and

art, but says that their natures are not different from those of the

Yahoos.

Gulliver wants to observe these similarities for himself, so he asks

to go among the Yahoos. He finds them to be very nimble from infancy, but

unable to learn anything. They are strong, cowardly, and malicious.

The principle virtues of the Houyhnhnms are their friendship and

benevolence. They are concerned more with the community than with their own

personal advantages, even choosing their mates in order to promote the race

as a whole. They breed industriousness, cleanliness, and civility in their

young, and exercise them for speed and strength. They have no writing

system and no word to express anything evil.

A room is made for Gulliver, and he furnishes it well. He also makes

new clothes for himself and settles into life with the Houyhnhnms quite

easily. He begins to think of his friends and family back home as Yahoos.

However, he is called by his Master and told that others have taken offence

at his being kept in the house as a Houyhnhnm; he has no choice but to ask

Gulliver to leave. Gulliver is very upset to hear that he is to be

banished. He builds a

canoe with the help of his Master and sadly departs.

Gulliver does not want to return to Europe, and so he begins to search for

an island where he can live, as he likes. He finds land and discovers

natives there. He is struck by an arrow and tries to escape the natives'

darts by paddling out to sea. He sees a sail in the distance and thinks of

going towards it, but then decides he would rather live with the barbarians

than the European Yahoos, so he hides from the ship. The seamen find him

and question him, laughing at his strange horse-like manner of speaking. He

tries to escape from their ship, and they do not understand why.

Gulliver then travels back to England and sees his family. They were

certain he was dead, and he is filled with disgust and contempt for them.

For a year he cannot stand to be near to his wife and children, and he

buys two horses and converses with them for four hours each day. Gulliver

concludes his narrative by acknowledging that the law requires him to

report his findings to the government, but that he can see no military

advantage in attacking any of the locations he discovered; and he

particularly wishes to protect the Houyhnhnms.

Heart of Darkness by J.Conrad

Summary Part I:

A ship called the Nellie is cruising down the Thames‹it will rest

there as it awaits a change in tide. The narrator is an unidentified guest

aboard the ship. He describes at length the appearance of the Thames as an

interminable waterway, and then he moves on to describing the inhabitants

of the ship. The Director of Companies doubles as Captain and host. They

all regard him with affection, trust and respect. The Lawyer is advanced in

years and possesses many virtues. The Accountant is toying with dominoes,

trying to begin a game. Between them already is the "bond of the sea." They

are tolerant of one another. Then there is Marlow. He has an emaciated

appearance sunken cheeks and a yellow complexion.

The ship drops anchor, but nobody wants to begin the dominoes game.

They sit and meditatively at the sun, and the narrator takes great notice

of how the water changes as the sun sets. Marlow suddenly speaks, noting

that "this also has been one of the dark places of the earth." He is a man

who does not represent his class: he is a seaman but also a wanderer, which

is disdainful and odd, since most seamen live sedentary lives aboard the

ship that is their home. No one responds to the remark, and Marlow

continues to talk of olden times when the Romans arrived and brought light,

which even now is constantly flickering. He says those people were not

colonists but conquerors, taking everything by brute force. This "taking of

the earth is not a pretty thing" when examined too closely; it is the idea

behind it which people find redeeming. Then, to the dismay of his bored

listeners, he switches into narration of a life experience, how he decided

to be a fresh water sailor and had come into contact with colonization.

After a number of voyages in the Orient and India, Marlow began to

look for a ship, but he was having hard luck in finding a position. As a

child, he had a passion for maps, and would lose himself in the blank

spaces, which gradually turned into dark ones as they became peopled. He is

especially taken with the picture of a long coiling river. Marlow thinks to

get charge of the steamboats that must go up and down that river for trade.

His aunt has connections in the Administration, and writes to have him

appointed a steamboat skipper. The appointment comes through very quickly,

as Marlow is to take the place of Fresleven, a captain who has been killed

in a scuffle with the natives. He crosses the Channel to sign the contract

with his employers. Their office appears to him like a white sepulchre. The

reception area is dimly lit, and two women sullenly man the area. Marlow

notes an unfinished map, and he is going into the yellow section, the

central area that holds the river. He signs, but feels very uneasy as the

women look at him meaningfully. Then there is a visit to the doctor. Marlow

questions him on why he is not with the Company on its business. The doctor

becomes cool and says he is no fool. Changes take place out there. He asks

his patient whether there is madness in the family. With a clean bill of

health and a long goodbye chat with his aunt, Marlow sets out on a French

steamer, feeling like an "impostor."

Watching the coast as it slips by, our newly named skipper marvels at

its enigmatic quality‹it tempts and invites the seer to come ashore, but in

a grim way. The weather is fierce, for the sun beats down strongly. The

ship picks up others along the way: soldiers and clerks mainly. The trade

names they pass on ships and on land seem almost farcical. There is a

uniformly somber atmosphere. After a month, Marlow arrives at the mouth of

the big river, and takes his passage on a little steamer. Once aboard he

learns that a man picked up the other day hanged himself recently. He is

taken to his Company's station. He walks through pieces of "decaying

machinery" and observes a stream of black people walking slowly, very thin

and indifferent. One of the "reclaimed" carries a rifle at "it's middle."

Marlow walks around to avoid this chain gang and finds a shade to rest. He

sees more black people working, some who look like they are dying. One

young man looks particularly hungry, and Marlow goes to offer him the ship

biscuit in his pocket. He notices that the boy is wearing white worsted

around his neck, and wonders what this is for. Marlow hastily makes his way

towards the station. He meets a white man dressed elegantly and in perfect

fashion. He is "amazing" and a "miracle." After learning that he is the

chief accountant of the Company, Marlow respects him. The station is a

muddle of activity. The new skipper waits there for ten days, living in a

hut. Frequently he visits the accountant, who tells him that he will meet

Mr. Kurtz, a remarkable man in charge of the trading-post in the ivory-

country. The accountant is irritated that a bed station for a dying man has

been set up in his office. He remarks that he begins to "hate the savages

to death." He asks Marlow to tell Kurtz that everything is satisfactory.

The next day Marlow begins a 200 mile tramp into the interior. He

crosses many paths, many deserted dwellings, and mysterious "niggers." His

white companion becomes ill on the journey, which makes Marlow impatient

but attentive. Finally they arrive at the Central Station, and Marlow must

see the General Manager. The meeting is strange. The Manager has a stealthy

smile. He is obeyed, but he does not inspire love or fear. He only inspires

uneasiness. The trading had begun without Marlow, who was late. There were

rumors that an important station was jeopardy, and that its chief, Kurtz,

was ill. A shipwreck on Marlow's boat has set them back. The manager is

anxious, and says it will be three months before they can make a start in

the trading. Marlow begins work in the station. Whispers of "ivory"

punctuate the air throughout the days. One evening a shed almost burns

down. A black man is beaten for this, and Marlow overhears: "Kurtz take

advantage of this incident." The manager's main spy, a first-class agent,

befriends the new skipper and begins to question him extensively about

Europe and the people he knows there. Marlow is confused about what this

man hopes to learn. The agent becomes "furiously annoyed." There is a dark

sketch on his wall of a woman blindfolded and carrying a lighted torch. The

agent says that Kurtz painted it. Upon Marlow's inquiry as to who this man

is, he says that he is a prodigy, an "emissary of pity and science." They

want Europe to entrust the guidance of the cause to them. The agent talks

precipitately, wanting Marlow to give Kurtz a favourable report about his

disposition because he believes Marlow has more influence in Europe than he

actually does.

The narrator breaks off for an instant and returns to his listeners on

the ship, saying that they should be able to see more in retrospect than he

could in the moment. Back in the story, the droning of the agent bores him.

Marlow wants rivets to stop the hole and get on with the work on his ship.

He clambers aboard. The ship is the one thing that truly excites him. He

notes the foreman of the mechanics sitting on board. They cavort and talk

happily of rivets that should arrive in three weeks. Instead of rivets,

however, they receive an "invasion" of "sulky niggers" with their white

expedition leader, who is the Manager's uncle. Marlow meditates for a bit

on Kurtz, wondering if he will be promoted to the General Manger position

and how he will set about his work when there.

Summary Part II

While lying on the deck of his steamboat one evening, Marlow overhears

a conversation between the Manager and his uncle, leader of the Expedition

group that has arrived. Snatches of talk indicate that the two are

conferring about Kurtz. The Manager says he was "forced to send him there."

They say his influence is frightful, and that he is alone, having sent away

all his assistants. The word "ivory" is also overheard. The two men are

wondering how all this ivory has arrived, and why Kurtz did not return to

the main station as he should have. Marlow believes this fact allows him to

see Kurtz for the first time. The Manager and his uncle say that either

Kurtz or his assistant must be hanged as an example, so that they can get

rid of unfair competition. Realizing that Marlow is nearby, they stop

talking.

In the next few days, the Expedition goes into the wilderness and

loses all their donkeys. As they arrive at the bank below Kurtz's station,

Marlow is excited at the prospect of meeting him soon. To Marlow,

travelling up the river is like going to the beginning of the world. He

sees no joy in the sunshine, however. The past comes back to haunt him on

this river. There is a stillness that does not resemble peace. It is alive

and watching Marlow. He is concerned about scraping the bottom of his

steamship on the river floor‹this is disgraceful for seamen. Twenty

"cannibals" are his crew. The Manager and some pilgrims are also onboard.

Sailing by stations, they hear the word "ivory" resonating. The trees are

massive and make you feel very small. The earth appears "unearthly." The

men are monstrous but not inhuman. This scares Marlow greatly. He believes

the mind of man is capable of anything. They creep on towards Kurtz. The

ship comes across a deserted dwelling. Marlow finds a well-kept book about

seamanship. It has notes in a language he cannot understand. Back on the

boat, he pushes ahead.

Eight miles from Kurtz's station, the Manager decides they will stay

put for the evening. No sounds are heard. The sun rises, and "complaining

clamor" with "savage discord" fills the air. Everyone fears an attack. One

of the black crew members says that the attackers should be handed over to

them and eaten. Marlow wonders why he and the other whites have not been

eaten. The Manager insincerely worries that something might have happened

to Kurtz. Marlow does not believe there will be an attack‹the jungle and

fog seem impenetrable. No one believes him. Some men go and investigate the

shore. A pattering sound is audible: flying arrows! The helmsman on the

ship panics and does not steer properly. The crew is firing rifles into the

bushes. A black man is shot and lays at Marlow's feet. He tries to talk and

dies before he can get any words out. Marlow supposes that Kurtz has

perished in this attack. He is exceedingly upset: talking to the mythical

man has become a major point of interest. In a fit of distress Marlow

throws his shoes overboard. He tells the listeners on the Thames ship that

the privilege of talking to Kurtz was waiting for him. Marlow relates that

Kurtz mentioned a girl, and how his shanty was busting with ivory. Kurtz

has taken position of "devil of the land." Originally he was well-educated,

but he has become entirely native in Africa, participating in rituals and

rites. Kurtz is anything but common. Back in the battle, the helmsman is

killed. Marlow throws the body overboard. After a simple funeral, the

steamer continues moving. Miraculously they spy Kurtz's station, which they

had assumed to be lost. They see the figure of a man who resembles a

harlequin. This man says that Kurtz is present, and assures them that they

need not fear the natives, who are simple people. He speaks with Marlow,

introducing himself as a Russian. The book Marlow holds is actually his,

and he is grateful to have it returned. The Russian says the ship was

attacked because the natives do not want Kurtz to leave with the crew‹he

has broadened everybody's mind.

Summary Part III:

Marlow is astonished at the Russian's words. He is gathering a clearer

picture of Kurtz. The Russian says that he has gone so far that he doesn't

know if he will ever get back. Apparently he has been alone with Kurtz for

many months. His sense of adventure is pure, and glamour urges him onward.

The Russian remembers the first night he spoke to Kurtz‹he forgot to sleep,

he was so captivated. Kurtz made him "see things." He has nursed this great

man through illnesses, and accompanied him on explorations to villages.

Kurtz has raided the country by getting the cooperation of the nearby

tribe, who all adore him. He loses himself in ivory hunts for weeks at a

time, and forgets himself. The Russian disagrees that Kurtz is mad. Even

when this bright-eyed adventurer was told to leave by his mentor, he

refused to go. Kurtz went down the river alone to make another ivory raid.

His illness acted up, so the Russian joined him in order to take care of

him. Presently, Kurtz lies in a hut surrounded by heads on stakes. Marlow

is not very shocked at the sight. He takes this as an indication that Kurtz

lacks restraint in the gratification of his lusts, a condition for which

the wilderness is culpable. Marlow assumes that Kurtz was hollow inside and

needed something to fill that. The Russian is perturbed by Marlow's

attitude of skepticism. He has heard enough about the ceremonies

surrounding this revered man.

Suddenly around the house appears a group of men. They convene around

the stretcher that holds the dying Kurtz. He looks gaunt, and tells the

natives to leave. The pilgrims carry him to another cabin, and give him his

correspondence. In a raspy voice he says he is glad to meet Marlow. The

Manager comes in to talk privately with Kurtz. Waiting on the boat with the

Russian, Marlow spies the "apparition" of a gorgeous woman. She glitters

with gold, paint, and she looks savage. She steps to the edge of the shore

and eyes the steamer. She gestures violently toward the sky, turns and

disappears into the thicket. The harlequin man fears her. They overhear

Kurtz telling the Manager that he is interfering with plans. The Manager

emerges. Taking Marlow aside, he says they have done all they can for

Kurtz, and that he did more harm than good to the Company. His actions were

too "vigorous" for the moment. Marlow does not agree that Kurtz's method

was unsound. To him, Kurtz is a remarkable man, and a friend in some way.

Marlow warns the Russian to escape before he can be hanged; he states that

he will keep Kurtz's reputation safe. It was Kurtz who ordered the attack

on the steamer‹he did not want to be taken away, and thought to fake his

death.

While Marlow dozes, drumbeats and incantations fill the air. He looks

into the cabin that holds Kurtz, and discovers he is missing. Marlow sees

his trail, and goes after him. The two men face one another. Kurtz pleads

that he has plans. Marlow replies that his fame in Europe is assured; he

realizes that this man's soul has gone mad. He is able to bring Kurtz back

to the cabin. The ship departs the next day amongst a crowd of natives.

Kurtz is brought into the pilot-house of the ship. The "tide of brown" runs

swiftly out of the "heart of darkness." The life of Kurtz is ebbing. Marlow

is in disfavor, lumped into the same category as Kurtz. The Manager is now

content. Marlow listens endlessly to Kurtz's bedside talk. He accepts a

packet of papers and a photograph that his friend gives him, in order to

keep them out of the Manager's hands. A few evenings later, Kurtz dies,

with one phrase on his lips: "The horror!"

Marlow returns to Europe, but is plagued by the memory of his friend.

He is disrespectful to all he encounters. The Manager demands the papers

that Kurtz entrusted to Marlow. Marlow relinquishes the technical papers,

but not the private letters and photograph. All that remains of Kurtz is

his memory and that picture of his Intended. Kurtz is very much a living

figure to Marlow. He goes and visits the woman in the picture. She embraces

and welcomes him. She has silently mourned for the past year, and needs to

profess her love and how she knew him better than anyone. Marlow perceives

the room to darken when she says this. She speaks of Kurtz's amazing

ability to draw people through incredibly eloquent speech. The woman says

she will be unhappy for life. Marlow states that they can always remember

him. She expresses a desperate need to keep his memory alive, and guilt

that she was not with him when he died. When the woman asks Marlow what

Kurtz's final words were, he lies and says it was her name. The woman weeps

in triumph. Marlow states that to tell the truth would be too dark. Back on

the Thames River ship, a tranquil waterway leads into the heart of

darkness.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

CHAPTER 1

The novel begins in England during the reign of King Richard I, also

known as Richard the Lion-Hearted (1157-1199). Scott provides some

historical background for the politics of the time and places the action

somewhere near the end of Richard's reign when he is returning from the

Crusades. England's Saxon population is under the control of Norman

royalty. French has become the forced official language, a fact which both

angers and demeans the Saxons, and many landowners have been forced to

give their lands to their Norman rulers. When the action of the novel

begins, the Norman King Richard I has been captured and held for ransom in

Europe. His brother John has assumed power.

Though both men are Norman rulers in Saxon populated England, Richard

is more popular among the people he rules, known as both fair and

courageous; John is aggressive, encouraging his men to steal or destroy

everything Saxon. John is content to rule, and even hopes his brother

remains imprisoned so that he can become king. Richard's loyal subjects

despair of ever seeing him again, and are angry that John and his greedy

nobles have been aggressive and relentless in seizing whatever Saxon land

they can. A swineherd named Gurth is talking with a jester, Wamba, about

the increasing hostility between the native Saxons and the Norman rulers.

Both servants work for a loyal Saxon named Cedric. When a storm approaches,

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