ather than generate, are easily shaken off. A judgment must be made from one's own internal strengths. That is why Marlow says, "for good or evil, mine is the speech that cannot be silenced" (38). As Kurtz taught him with his own judgment, a judgment of truth overpowers morality. To find ones own reality one must not rely solely on other people's morality or principles; one must assess his own life. Kurtz shows Marlow that regardless of whether the truth is good or bad, one must face his reality. He must face his own actions even when the conclusion is "the horror." By doing so, he will find his true reality. Marlow understands that being true to you is not following another's moral code, but being able to judge one's self honestly to discover a true reality. Because of his newfound understanding, Marlow claims that Kurtz's last words serve as "[. . .] a moral victory paid for by innumerable defeats..." (70). Despite Kurtz's immoral ways, he is victorious. Because he did not run away from the truth, he won a moral victory (McLauchlan 382). Marlow learns the essence of naming and understands what it means to search for the truth within himself. Marlow encounters two extremes while on his search: the European mentality, which he finds completely oblivious to reality; and Kurtz, a man who has found his horrible and unrestrained reality. With this extraordinary knowledge of the two extremes of mankind, he returns to England. Because of his knowledge, he has a new understanding. He knows it is impossible to revert to his former mentality because he has been enlightened and, thus, lost his naivete. Perhaps he could adopt Kurtz' ways and live in the other extreme. At one point, Marlow had peered over the edge (68). Why did he not jump? Marlow is repelled from joi...
