Joseph Conrad writes in his novel The Heart of Darkness, the quote "the mind of a man is capable of anything- because everything is in it, all the past as well as the future (106)". This quote best describes the relationship between his characters of Marlow and Kurtz. Within this quote, we see how something as powerful as the human mind is easily susceptible to manipulation. Throughout the story, we are given many examples that compare and contrast the characters of Marlow and Kurtz throughout their journeys into the darkness. Together, both characters show us a vivid example of the past as well as the future, and we see this through the power and corruption of the human mind.
             The novel focuses primarily on the characters of Marlow and Kurtz. The similarities and differences between each character have a "light and dark" effect to them. For example, Kurtz is a man of many identities that are both of good and bad nature. Kurtz, a highly educated man who aspired to become a writer and musician, becomes the representation of all things evil. Towards the end of the novel, the darkness has corrupted Kurtz and his evil tendencies are revealed. Kurtz is an example of the evil that may possess Marlow in the near future. This is the best example of the "light and dark" effect being that Marlow, a man who initially sees the good in the entire world, will have to battle good and evil in his journey in to the "heart of darkness". Upon entering the so-called "darkness", Marlow becomes highly susceptible to the evil and horror that lies within the "deepest center" of the world. In doing so, Marlow becomes an example of the clean and uncorrupted mind that once belonged to Kurtz. This is one of a few representations of the characters of Marlow and Kurtz. The role each character plays throughout the novel is an important part of understanding how they relate to a larger significance.
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