Heart Of Darkness By Conrad
In the novella Heart if Darkness by Joseph Conrad Marlow and Kurtz undergo similar journeys through the most evil and dark regions of their psyche; however, Marlow is able to realize the darkness inside him and retain his soul before he reverts to a savage animal-like Kurtz has. Marlow's disillusionment begins as he arrives on the shore of Africa. When he first arrives on the coast of Africa he sees a large warship bombarding the overgrown forest that has encroached on the beach. This firing is random and is only pointless destruction. He sees the natives, and the people view them as their enemies. Marlow thinks of them as enemies at first, however when he sees them up close he thinks they are nothing more than "black shadows of disease and starvation." Marlow sees the natives clinging to the shade which seems cooler and peaceful but when he enters the shade he realizes it is actually "a gloomy circle of some inferno."
Marlow shows he has the savage qualities as well when he follows Kurtz into the forest, but not to the extreme Kurtz has. Marlow tries to make himself believe that he is not like Kurtz and he will not and can not do the things Kurtz does. Marlow realizes that Kurtz is a savage by his actions and behavior. When he follows Kurtz he stays to the edge of the woods not venturing any further. Marlow also shows his savageness when he is first in Africa when he and his men are carrying a dead man. The most extreme savageness is Kurtz, while himself is the beginning of the darkness which lurks in the hearts of all men. Marlow and Kurtz have similar paths in life, but they each choose a different path. Marlow sees a freeness and rebellious quality he wishes he could possess. This represents Marlow's unwillingness to participate in Kurtz's actions and atrocities. Foreshadowing is prevalent in this section where the doctor inquires if there is a history madness in his family and how people change when they have ventured into the jungle. Marlow tries to distance himself from Kurtz in his mind.
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