CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW IN THE HEART OF DARKNESS BY JOSEPH CONRAD With references to Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Hamlet, and 1984 By Maureen Breslin

Characters Kurtz: virtuous, moral, ethical; degenerates to evil; is infected with darkness because of lack of accountability

Marlow voice of reason: Platonic man understands attraction of evil has previous moral commitment

General Manager no conscience greed envy

Cannibals more personal restraint than white men

Symbols of Evil Darkness England one of the dark places of the earth Africa’s dark heart

Congo River serpent in the Garden White man ( Belgian Ivory company, Kurtz, imperialists ) is serpent Africa is garden

Jungle Garden pristine, primeval purity Disease: physical // moral, spiritual

Archetypal Symbols forest: state of being lost; evil; ironic heart: residence of spiritual being colors: black wool, black hens, blank dark spot

Archetypal Symbols white: ironic black: ironic green: money, materialism motley of the Russian

Other Symbols bright colors of the native woman contrasted with the dark colors of the Intended Gestures of both women: prayer

Other Symbols Vertical lines of the forest//cathedral-like lines of living room Skulls, facing inward The abyss: “the horror, the horror.” Its attraction for Marlow

Reasons Marlow Doesn’t Succumb Previous commitment to moral standards Empathy Desire to know truth

Reasons Kurt Succumbs Isolation; lack of accountability Pride/hubris Greed and materialism Power: receives worship of the natives Lust

Reasons Marlow Protects Kurtz’ Name Kurtz’ honesty Kurtz’ acceptance of his fate

Conclusions Within the garden (forest: primeval, virgin) is the virtuous, enlightened, talented, perfect man. In its heart is an evil (serpent) that draws the most perfect of men in an appeal to his hubris. Kurtz comes “with fire and lightning”, inviting and accepting worship, reverence, and sacrifice.

Conclusions He has the power of life and death and with his WORD is able to command love and obedience. He becomes totally corrupt and falls from grace because he is both appalled and drawn to his sin.

Conclusions He sees his blackness of heart as he comes to the edge of the abyss but cannot withdraw. However in his final words, “The horror, the horror”, he honestly confronts his evil but does not have the ability to repent. We understand without the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to repent either.

Conclusions Marlow recognizes his potential to be sucked into the abyss, but allows his previous morality and commitment to morals to help him step back.

Conclusions The darkness, sickness, and heat of the jungle merely reflect the evil within the heart of man. Thus the physical disease that has withered away Kurtz’ body is symbolic of the spiritual disease that has infected his heart.

Tess of the D’Urbervilles Blackmoor Vale contains a primeval/virgin forest

Tess = White Hart * A white hart inhabits this forest and is a symbol of Tess, “a pure woman” A serpent (Alec, the antagonist) brings about Tess’ downfall in the garden

Hamlet Disease corrupts the land of Denmark Major theme: appearances are different from reality While a righteous king sleeps in the orchard (garden) the country is told he is stung by a serpent

Hamlet His brother, Claudius, has poisoned him because of hubris/greed Claudius desires his brother’s position/King wife kingdom/power

Hamlet Called the “primal, eldest curse The murder of a brother: Cain and Abel This murder spawns Moral corruption in the kingdom

Hamlet: The Exiled Child Distinguished parents NEW order tries to kill child Child is strong Child slowly recognizes own extraordinariness Strength comes from that recognition

The Exiled Child Now the “divine” child (hero) knows he needs to teach and help regenerate the old order: Find parents Seek revenge Kills parents

The Exiled Child Child achieves Divinity Kingship Leadership role Establishes order

1984 To eliminate words is to eliminate the ability to think Desire for power is at the root of totalitarianism: Hubris Totalitarianism demands: The elimination of truth The abolition of religion The illegalization of love *Elimination of truth leads to loss of freedom

Conclusion Hamlet must die as must the evil interloper (Claudius) and a new King must establish order in Denmark. Kurtz must die Tess must die The wages of sin is death!!!!

Conclusion All the books deal with hypocrisy: appearances vs reality. God sees the heart. The best people are capable of corruption: apathy, hatred, manipulation Yet, the ending of a tragedy/tragic story contains the seeds of redemption/ renewal/rebirth. *1984: a satire; contains no hope