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Theme Of Madness In Heart Of Darkness

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Everybody is mad in some way and each person has a method to their madness that helps them succeed. Aristotle said, “There is no great genius without some touch of madness”. Throughout many works of literature madness can be seen in many characters and is used as a catalyst to help move the plot along. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad explores the journey of Marlow, a steamboat captain, journey into the heart of Africa, and the changing of his objective to meeting Kurtz when almost everyone glorifies him. Madness is commonly seen throughout Kurtz’s life in the Congo, and clearly alters his behavior. Some people judge Kurtz’s irrational behavior as reasonable and rational because there is actually a method to his madness. Madness plays a …show more content…
The Russian is infatuated with Kurtz and said that, “[Kurtz] hated all of this and somehow he couldn’t get away. When I had a chance I begged him to try and leave...he would say yes-and then he would remain-go off on another ivory hunt...Mr. Kurtz couldn’t be mad” (Conrad 56). The Russian is convinced that Kurtz’s behavior is reasonable. The Russian insists that his behavior is a result of the success it has brought in controlling the natives and providing ivory. Kurtz would agree to leave but always ended up not leaving and finding more ivory. Again, The Russian claims that Kurtz’s behavior is rational even when he was threatened to be shot by Kurtz the Russian thinks that “[Marlow] can’t judge Mr. Kurtz as [he] would an ordinary man...he wanted to shoot me” (Conrad 56). The Russian holds Kurtz above others and for some reason still supports him and thinks that his behavior isn’t insane after Kurtz threatens to shoot him. When Marlow comments on how Kurtz “Is a remarkable man” the manager replies that “He was” (Conrad 61). The manager thinks that Kurtz 's behavior is reasonable because he is mad and thinks that that gives him a good reason to have these crazy behaviors that would not be tolerated in a normal “healthy” person. Many people in the story make up excuses for why Kurtz has become mad and judge his behavior as reasonable …show more content…
Kurtz clearly plays a major role in the novel, and is described with only positive words by people he has encountered. Kurtz is described as very remarkable, a genius, and more than competent in his position. Kurtz “sends in as much ivory as all the others put together” (Conrad 22). When Kurtz enters the Congo he is ready to do his job and it seems, overqualified for it. However when he is leaving he has been reduced to almost nothing and he can barely move around and think by himself which clearly demonstrates the disastrous effects of Imperialism. Kurtz is consumed by his position in the Congo, so much so that his main objective had destroyed him. “An ivory ball...it had consumed his flesh, and sealed his soul to it’s own by the inconceivable ceremonies of some devilish initiation” (Conrad 49). Again the goals of imperialism have consumed Kurtz and made him mad. Ivory, his main objective, is all he cares about, and he doesn’t care what he has to do to get it, including killing people and raiding villages. Again, Imperialism is causing physical and emotional destruction. Imperialism does not only affect the Imperialist nations lives, but more importantly, it alters the natives lives as well. The natives “Adored [Kurtz]... he came to them with thunder and lightning...they had never seen anything like it” (Conrad 56). The natives lives changed profoundly as well as Kurtz’s

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