People who live in solitude seldom interact with others, which breed some psychological thought processes that lock out the entire world, leaving one with only a minimal space for daily interaction or none at all in extreme cases. Solitude has inspired a new genre of horror films and videos that are focused on only one place starring individuals pitted against each other or against some supernatural powers with little or no room for escape. Isolation, in medical psychology, is defined as the state or quality of being alone away from others. According to Corey, psychoanalytic theory defines isolation as a defense mechanism that emphasizes on keeping negative cognitions and feelings from influencing other thoughts and feelings (Corey 57). Isolation,
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5799). Different writers of psychological horror have demonstrated how the negative thought processes, if allowed to prevail, can damage one’s self-esteem and even lead to further isolations and feelings of paranoia (Jarrett 813). Joseph Conrad and Francis Ford Coppola Conrad in their works “Heart of Darkness” and “Apocalypse Now” demonstrate sing real life stories the impact isolation can have on one’s life story. These two stories concentrate generally on the possible negative effect of isolation. A more positive impact of isolation is demonstrated in ‘The Bet’ by Anton Chekhov. Each of these three cases will be discussed here and the transformations that the characters undergo during their isolation periods and how it affects their general outlook of life will also be …show more content…
The ivory trader is derided by his superiors, but the locals worship him. The station where his ivory hunting operations are based is littered with human heads, which Marlow observes, belong to the natives. Although Marlow is told of how Kurtz has a fearsome reputation and is loved by the locals and the company because of his hard work, the reality he meets is completely different. Kurtz has a fearsome reputation among the natives and is considered to have mythical powers, some kind of a demi-god with supernatural abilities. Even Marlow felt this when he says “…and there was something ominous in the atmosphere. It was just as though I had been let into some conspiracy—I don't know—something not quite right” (Conrad 255). Despite the fact that he brings more ivory to the company than that of all the other managers combined, this reputation does not seem to fit the man that Marlow finally meets when he sails to the Inner Station. Like with many psychological horror stories, Conrad builds a practical real life story that is full of suspense and leaves the audience speculating what may happen next to the main characters. The Kurtz he finally meets is someone who has gone insane and speaks an unfathomable language. He does not seem to have the remotest ability of normal mental functioning although he still
5799). Different writers of psychological horror have demonstrated how the negative thought processes, if allowed to prevail, can damage one’s self-esteem and even lead to further isolations and feelings of paranoia (Jarrett 813). Joseph Conrad and Francis Ford Coppola Conrad in their works “Heart of Darkness” and “Apocalypse Now” demonstrate sing real life stories the impact isolation can have on one’s life story. These two stories concentrate generally on the possible negative effect of isolation. A more positive impact of isolation is demonstrated in ‘The Bet’ by Anton Chekhov. Each of these three cases will be discussed here and the transformations that the characters undergo during their isolation periods and how it affects their general outlook of life will also be …show more content…
The ivory trader is derided by his superiors, but the locals worship him. The station where his ivory hunting operations are based is littered with human heads, which Marlow observes, belong to the natives. Although Marlow is told of how Kurtz has a fearsome reputation and is loved by the locals and the company because of his hard work, the reality he meets is completely different. Kurtz has a fearsome reputation among the natives and is considered to have mythical powers, some kind of a demi-god with supernatural abilities. Even Marlow felt this when he says “…and there was something ominous in the atmosphere. It was just as though I had been let into some conspiracy—I don't know—something not quite right” (Conrad 255). Despite the fact that he brings more ivory to the company than that of all the other managers combined, this reputation does not seem to fit the man that Marlow finally meets when he sails to the Inner Station. Like with many psychological horror stories, Conrad builds a practical real life story that is full of suspense and leaves the audience speculating what may happen next to the main characters. The Kurtz he finally meets is someone who has gone insane and speaks an unfathomable language. He does not seem to have the remotest ability of normal mental functioning although he still