Heart of Darkness
by Joseph Conrad
- Lexile
- 1070L
- Grade range
- Grades 11–12
- Age range
- Ages 16–18
- Pages
- 96
- First published
- 1899
- Genre
- Novella
- ISBN-13
- 9780486264646
About this book
Charles Marlow recounts his journey up the Congo River as a riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company in search of the ivory-trader Kurtz. A cornerstone of 11th-12th grade modernism units and AP English Literature — also frequently taught alongside Achebe's critical response.
Themes
- colonialism
- madness
- imperialism
- moral darkness
Content notes
- colonial violence
- racism (historical text)
Common Sense Media recommends age 15+.
Where this book is assigned
No curriculum assignments on file yet.
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is Heart of Darkness?
- Heart of Darkness is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 11–12, with a Lexile measure of 1070L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of Heart of Darkness?
- Heart of Darkness has a Lexile measure of 1070L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- Is Heart of Darkness banned in schools?
- Heart of Darkness does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.
- What themes does Heart of Darkness explore?
- Central themes in Heart of Darkness include colonialism, madness, imperialism, moral darkness. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.