CliffsNotes on Conrad's Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

In CliffsNotes on The Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer, you come to understand how each of these stories deals with the "dark side" of the human character. Heart of Darkness is a journey up the Congo River to where an ivory agent, Kurtz, has succumbed to human weakness and evil, and has disintegrated into a grotesque creature. The Secret Sharer is an allegorical examination of a timid man who struggles to stifle the more physical and dangerous part of himself. Eventually, he resolves this duality and becomes more daring — and, therefore, more complete.

This concise supplement to Joseph Conrad's The Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer helps you understand the overall structure of the novels, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include

Part-by-part summaries and commentaries
Character maps that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Critical essays that provide expert insight on the novels' structure
Review sections that test your knowledge

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Customer Reviews:

Essential companion for the book.......2007-02-17

Anyone who has had to read either of these titles for school knows that teachers find a lot more in them than first meets the eye. Cliff Notes are a great way to gain insight into books and get a feel for the various interpretations. NOTE TO STUDENTS: You still have to read the book, folks. This just helps you understand it.

CliffsNotes on Conrad's Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer.......2007-01-11

Reviewing CliffsNotes on Conrad's Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer is an excellent way to delve into the novel before reading the novel. Cliffsnotes provides background information about the author Joseph Conrad and summative narratives of the book.

Cliffsnotes helps the reader understand the plot and subplots of the novel as well as a hint about the motives of the characters involved in the conflict.

Fine guide, concise, well written.......2005-12-29

This Cliff Notes guide provides a clear and concise analysis and discussion of the famous Conrad short novel. The author discusses Conrad's personal background as it relates to the story, and the characters, themes, plot elements, the social and cultural views and philosophy of the author, and many other aspects of the book in an easy to understand way.

Conrad is one of the few novelists, which include Melville, Tolstoy, Dostoevski, Lawrence Stern, and Jonathan Swift, whose work continues to impress me and has aged well as I've moved into my more mature years. Partly this is because of the dark themes he treats, such as the violence and cruelty and savagery lurking just below the thin veneer of civilization, the brooding and melancholy power of his prose, and partly because English wasn't even his native language--he even learned it as an adult on shipboard.

Heart of Darkness is one Conrad's shortest but greatest works in this sense, and after having read it in high school, I recently reacquainted myself with it after 30 years. I was just as impressed as I was back then. Most readers and movie fans will know the story's influence on Coppola's "Apocalypse Now," which is many ways a tribute to the Conrad book. This is a great book by one of history's greatest authors whose themes continue to resonate today. All an observant and intelligent individual has to do today to realize that Conrad was right about man's innermost nature and that we have not progressed at all in the last 10,000 years of "civilized history" is to look at the current sad state of the world and of humanity in general.

We are reviewing the "notes" not the book or movie.......2000-09-06

I could not stand reading or watching anything about Vietnam for about 10 years. I eventually watched the movie " Apocalypse Now" I found it interesting but it did not relate to anything in the central highlands. Later I saw "Pork Lips Now" and could relate this to the movie. Finally someone told me that the whole thing was based on "Heart of Darkness " ISBN: 0486264645. So I decided to read the book. I found it fascinating and much better than the movie. However I could not see the forest of the trees and needed some help in showing me what I was looking at. Because I was not in some school class, I turned to the "Cliffs Notes" Of course my views don't match the notes exactly but they gave me some questions to ask and showed me the forest. The notes include:

· Life of the Author

· Introductions to the Novel

· Lists of Characters

· Brief Plot Synopses

· Summaries & Critical Commentaries

· Critical Essay

· Suggested Essay Topics

· Selected Bibliography

Later I found a movie that was much closer to the original story,

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

CliffsNotes on The Importance of Being Earnest offers a concise look at this Victorian farce, which tweaks the complacency and aristocratic attitudes prevalent among the wealthy upper class of the time. Hidden identities, fierce repartee, underlying passions, and surprises punctuate this lively play.

This study guide shows, through its expert commentaries, just how three sets of lovers clear up mishap and misunderstandings and end up happily ever after. Other features that help you figure out this survey of Victorian social issues include

A close look at the author's life, which itself was rife with scandal and ruin
Summaries and commentaries, act by act
Descriptive character analyses
A character map that reveal key relationships
Critical essays on Victorian views on compassion, religion, marriage, and more
A review section that tests your knowledge, and suggested essay topics

Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Customer Reviews:

Practically Useless.......2007-01-13

When I told my mom that we were reading The Importance of Being Earnest in our English class, she thought it would be a good idea to pick up the Cliff Notes for me to study. I appreciate the guesture, but it was completely unncecessary.

The play itself is only about 80 pages long, just 10 pages more than the Cliff Notes. So don't expect to save any time by reading Cliff Notes instead of the play.

Also, the play isn't really that confusing at all. There are only a handful of characters and the dialouge is not hard to understand (though it isn't written in a modern dialect). While reading this play (I finished it in one night), I never once was confused or lost.

Cliff Notes can be useful for long, boring, confusing works such as The Scarlet Letter. But something as short and simple as The Importance of Being Earnest stands fine on it's own. Skip the Cliff Notes and just read the play. It's actually pretty funny and you'll probably enjoy it. I did.

CliffsNotes Parent's Crash Course Elementary School Math (Cliffsnotes)

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CliffsNotes Parent's Crash Course Elementary School Math (Cliffsnotes)
David Alan Herzog
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764598368

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Is helping your kids with elementary math homework a problem?

6,234 + 5,893 + 475 + 872 =
What is the greatest common factor for 140 and 175?
Find the percentage: 25,000 cheering for the home team in an arena holding 40,000 fans
(8) + (-7) + (12) + (-11) + (15) + (-9) =
Express 343 in terms of its simplest base and exponent form.

(See answers at bottom of page)

It's probably been awhile since you took math, and math is taught differently today. So when your kids need help with the dreaded math homework, you may be pressed to remember some of the basics in addition to being pressed for time!

CliffsNotes Parent's Crash Course Elementary School Math is the answer! This one-of-a-kind book features:

Practical organization that helps you get up to speed quickly
A table of contents that makes it easy to find the specific help you and your child need
58 different lessons explained in two- to three-page units
Quick explanations of essential terms at the beginning of each chapter
Factoids that get your kids more interested
Exercises and answers at the end of many lessons
An appendix containing flashcards for added practice

The book covers math concepts and principles taught in elementary school, including:

Whole numbers
Decimals
Fractions
Percents
Integers
Powers, exponents, and roots
Powers of ten
Measurements
Geometry
Adding and subtracting
Multiplying and dividing

Answers:

13,474
35
62.5
8
73

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A practical guide + a few minutes = success! There are more than 33.6 million kids in grades K-8 in public schools. So think how many parents are struggling to help their kids with the dreaded math homework. No more! CliffsNotes Parent's Crash Course Elementary School Math offers thorough coverage of elementary math topics, including integers, whole numbers, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing fractions, decimals, percents, powers, exponents, roots, and measurements. Features include model problems to help parents zero in on the right topic, many sample problems with step-by-step solutions, and a glossary of relevant terms. A unique, parent-oriented resource, this book bridges the math gap so parents can help their kids succeed! David Alan Herzog (Easton, PA) has written numerous math and science test-prep books and has authored over 100 educational software programs. He taught math education at Fairleigh Dickinson University, was mathematics coordinator for New Jersey's Rockaway Township Public Schools, and taught in the New York City Public Schools.

CliffsNotes on Ibsen's A Doll's House & Hedda Gabler

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CliffsNotes on Ibsen's A Doll's House & Hedda Gabler
Marianne Sturman
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 076454456X

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature.

CliffsNotes on A Doll's House & Hedda Gabler takes you into Henrick Ibsen's dramatic plays, controversial theater productions that inflamed audience reactions in the nineteenth century.

A Doll's House follows the story of a housewife who emerges from the confinement of her married life to confront the conditions of the outside world. Typical of Ibsen's dramas, Hedda Gabler portrays a depraved world in which women in particular submit to unsatisfying socially imposed roles. Summaries and expert commentaries cover each act within both plays; other features that help you figure out these important works include

Life and background of the playwright
Summary of Ibsen's most famous plays
Analysis of the plays' structure, themes, and characters
A complete list of Ibsen's drama
Sample exam questions and essay topics

Book Description

This is a story of the search for happiness, occurring in the maze-like microcosm of 19th-century England. Middlemarch provides a very thorough picture of life in provincial England.

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Good if Used Correctly and Used To Cheat!
Almost the best

CliffsNotes Jane Eyre
Karin Jacobsen , and Mary Ellen Snodgrass
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764585894

Book Description

Question Victorian — and present-day — society as you study Charlotte Bronte’s popular novel with CliffsNotes on Jane Eyre. What is women’s position in society? What is the relationship of dreams and fantasy to reality? What is the basis of an effective marriage? Bronte tackles all these questions and more through the story of her heroine Jane Eyre.

CliffsNotes provides detailed plot summaries, critical commentaries, and a helpful character map to help you uncover all the insight this novel has to offer. Make your study of this timeless novel a success with CliffsNotes on Jane Eyre. Other features that help you study include

Character analyses of major players
Critical essays
A review section that tests your knowledge
Background on the author, including career highlights

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

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This novel echoes the romantic conventions of the Victorian era at the same time that it recounts many incidents of BrontÃƒÂ«'s own life.

The character of Jane, a young governess who falls in love with her mysterious employer, is a beacon of virtue and integrity against the wiles of life.

Customer Reviews:

Good if Used Correctly and Used To Cheat!.......2005-06-20

Hey I think it needs to be pointed out that this is not the Jane Eyre book by Charlotte Bronte. It is a Cliffs Notes Study Guide version. This is good to read but only if you have read the whole book by Bronte and you have to write a book report and just need some references from the Cliff Notes version if there was something in the book that you didn't understand. Don't try to con your teacher by only reading the Cliff Notes version. Just read the book and read a great story and impress your teacher. It always amazes me how dumb some students can be by trying to cheat with Cliff Notes, I mean the teacher always can tell when someone has done it too so it's not like they are fooling anyone. Cliffs Notes are actually good an an extra study guide but have gotten a bad rap because of the sneaky cheaters who used it as cheat sheets and tried to pretend that they read the whole book!

Almost the best.......2003-05-16

I think that Jane Eyre was almost the best book. The only problem was the ending. All her life Jane has gotten the short end of the stick. Why for once can't this go her way? Why can't she have a normal husband? Why can't she have a break for once?

CliffsNotes on Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

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CliffsNotes on Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
L. David Allen , and James L. Roberts
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764544586

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature.

In CliffsNotes on A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, you dig into Mark Twain's notably caustic account of a culture clash in medieval society.

Transported back in time from the nineteenth century, the story's central character attempts to introduce "modern" changes to his new place in the sixth century. This study guide follows the action from chapter to chapter with commentaries that bring sense to the entertaining satire. Other features that help you figure out this important work include

Life and background of the author
Introduction to and synopsis of the book
Summaries of each chapter within the work
A review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topics

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

CliffsNotes on St. Augustine’s Confessions takes you on a story of conversion – actually several conversions: to Manichaeism; to the pursuit of truth; to an intellectual acceptance of Christianity; and finally to an emotional acceptance of Christian faith. The Confessions is in one sense Augustine’s personal story, but it is also a mythological work about humanity’s quest to discover true peace and satisfaction.

Examine the many layers of this masterpiece with help from a study guide you can trust. You'll also gain insight into the background and influences of the author. Other features that help you study include

Chapter by chapter summaries and commentaries
Critical essays
A review section that tests your knowledge
A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites

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When the science project is due, this book comes to the rescue

With the trend toward hands-on learning, millions of elementary students have to do science projects. Typically, they mention this to their parents the night before the project is due. This book helps busy parents help their children create last-minute science projects using materials commonly found around the house. It features chapter breakouts grouped by science project subject, two-page spreads devoted to specific science projects, and factoids to get kids interested in the subject. Parents can quickly pick an appropriate project and spur their future scientists toward success!

Faith Hickman Brynie (Bigfork, MT) is a writer specializing in science and health; she holds a PhD in science education, curriculum, and instruction and is a frequent writer for the children’s science magazine Odyssey, as well as the editor of various elementary school science textbooks.

Download Description

When the science project is due, this book comes to the rescue With the trend toward hands-on learning, millions of elementary students have to do science projects. Typically, they mention this to their parents the night before the project is due. This book helps busy parents help their children create last-minute science projects using materials commonly found around the house. It features chapter breakouts grouped by science project subject, two-page spreads devoted to specific science projects, and factoids to get kids interested in the subject. Parents can quickly pick an appropriate project and spur their future scientists toward success! Faith Hickman Brynie (Bigfork, MT) is a writer specializing in science and health; she holds a PhD in science education, curriculum, and instruction and is a frequent writer for the children's science magazine Odyssey, as well as the editor of various elementary school science textbooks.

Cliffsnotes Portrait of a Lady (Cliffs Notes)

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Cliffsnotes Portrait of a Lady (Cliffs Notes)

Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0822010666

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With rare honesty and acuity, James examines the mythologies of American life by putting Yanks in European society and letting them sink or swim. This tale of an innocent woman abroad adds to the wealth and richness of James's contribution to literature.

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