arts, which is controlled by civilization and education. Without the rules and regulations set by society, man can allow the darkness to control his life. This is what happened to Kurtz when he was left alone with his own desires in the jungle. Kurtz came to the realization that there was nothing or no one to control his actions. The Russian living at the inner station told Marlow how Kurtz had been willing to kill him for a little ivory, ‘…because he could do so, and had a fancy for it, and there was nothing on earth to prevent him killing whom he jolly well pleased.’ p92 Marlow was also drawn to the wilderness of the jungle, but protected himself from this darkness by immersing himself in work. ‘You wonder I didn’t go ashore for a howl and a dance?…I had no time’ p63 Kurtz had been overcome with temptation where as Marlow was drawn to the edge and was able to withdraw. Jim also realized there was darkness in his heart when Wizzer picked him on. ‘They faced one another with murder in their eyes and Jim was surprised by the black anger he was possessed by and the dull savagery he sensed in the other man.’ p63 Jim realizes that tragic circumstances bring out different aspects of a person’s character which would normally be suppressed.Both authors use the journeys their characters undertake to raise questions about the meaning of life though their approach to the topic is very different. Heart of Darkness begins its story in the light of the Thames River and ends the book in darkness. Conrad uses this contrast of light and darkness throughout the book to give us his pessimistic views on life and humanity. ‘Droll thing life is – that mysterious arrangement of merciless logic for a futile purpose. The most you can hope from it some knowledge of yourself.’ p113 He comes to the conclusion that there is a dark side in every person that can never be changed. He gives ...
