Heart of Darkness; Marlow's Journey.

Marlow is a rather interesting character, as he stumbled blindly into a self-enlightenment. While some drop everything to discover the ultimate truths of life, Marlow found it matter-of-factly in his employment. His quest was not the most conventional, as it lacked the one quality superimposed by quests: intent. However, his accidental quest delved far deeper into the reaches of truth than most, and allowed him to gain far more.

Marlow’s quest begins with his employment at the company. Through his employment, Marlow is able to realize his dream of seamanship and exploration. However, these dreams will quickly disintegrate into nightmares as Marlow learns of the cruel hypocrisy put forth by society. Upon arrival in Africa, Marlow begins to realize that European civilization of “savages” is a farce. Instead of civilizing the natives, they are simply used as tools for the acquisition of wealth. In this sense, the natives take on an image of innocence, an idea far dissimilar from the ideas of natives in Europe. Ironically, the “civilized” Europeans take on the role of barbaric savagery, exploiting fellow humans in the name of “what is proper and good.” This idea sickens Marlow, yet he does not necessarily accept it at first. Instead, he distracts himself with work on his ship and the idolization of Kurtz. The latter keeps Marlow willingly-indignant to the savagery committed by the company; however, this indignation ends with a bang during the next part of Marlow’s quest.

Kurtz represents a variety of ideals to each party: to the Russian trader, he is an enlightened teacher; to the company, he is a scapegoat on which they can pass off their brutal ways; to Marlow, he is one of two realities he can accept. Upon meeting Kurtz, listening to his ideas, and seeing his ways firsthand, especially in relation to Kurtz’ attempt to partake in the native rituals, Marlow comes to realize that left untamed, man will ultimately plunge into the darkness that rests within his own...