ENGL 212 Week 7 Discussion

ENGL 212 Week 7 Discussion | regent-university

Week 7

COLLAPSE

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Willie Diles

ENGL212: British Literature

Professor Rickards

23 June 2021

            Joseph Conrad, in his masterpiece Heart of Darkness, demonstrates that God has written

his Law into the hearts of men (Romans 2:15); however, men rather choose darkness (John

3:19).

            Marlow, the sailor is witness to the African colonization, the exploitation of humans, and

the resources (ivory trade) by ruthless businessmen. Kurtz is an Englishmen in charge as the

general manager (p.17). Kurtz lived among the native tribe and was highly regarded by

everyone except Marlow. Upon Kurtz’s death, it was ordered that no one should ever betray

Kurtz’s reputation (p.46), likely because people back in the homeland had a different belief about

those who colonized. To the colonizers, however, it was about protecting the motive (p.53).

            Kurtz’s last words were: The horror! The horror! Kurtz had glimpsed the truth, in

Marlow’s view, the strange commingling of desire and hate (p.50). Is it not true that we want

others to see the good in us even as grave sinners?

            After returning to England with Kurtz’s private letters, and finding the woman in the

picture, he told her the lie of Kurtz’s saying her name as he died because he observed her

desolation and sorrow (p.54). He wanted to spare her the madness that surrounded the truth of

Kurtz.

Reference

Conrad, Joseph, Heart of Darkness, 1899, www.regent.edu/blackboard. Accessed 6/21/21.

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