For my English IV class (12th grade) in the 2001-2002 school year, my class was assigned to read two books by author Joseph Conrad (1857-1924). One was The Secret Sharer (1910). The other, The Heart of Darkness (1901), is what this so-called "commentary," written essentially in lieu of a quiz over the second portion of this book, is about. It is about my great dislike for this book and how I abhor it so.
This book, this author, is not acceptable reading. My mother has wanted to move from this area because fact is, this area is full of snobs. Personally, I am extremely close to writing to either the head of the English Department for the District, or possibly farther, to John E. Wilson, Ph.D., Superintendant of this school district. This book is for Higher Level reading, NOT high school. Personally, I would enjoy destroying this book like they did in another book I loathe, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. This book should be removed from this school's curriculum just as books such as Twain's Huckleberry Finn and Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird have from the curriculums of other school districts.
Matt - I am the head of the English department. I'm not exactly sure what your objection to this book is, but trust me, it is age appropriate.Mrs. D.