Heart Of Darkness And Apocalypse Now Analysis

The Parallels of Work in Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now

Work in physics is defined as force acting upon a body, and a displacement occurs from the point of application in the direction of the force. Even the definition suggests a change of course. It provides distraction and a learning experience. The reward is special and unable to be misplaced or embezzled.

In the Heart of Darkness, set during Europe’s imperialism of Africa, Conrad affectionately personifies work stating, “She had given me a chance to come out a bit – to find out what I could do.” A change of pace or “direction of force” postulates the possibility of personal exploration and spiritual growth. Conrad admits, “I don’t like work – no man does – but I like what is in the work, the chance to find yourself. Your own reality — for yourself, not for others — what no other man can ever know.” He shows appreciation for the effects of work, as it is an opportunity to find your own reality. Even create your own to escape a current situation. Work provides a sense of purpose, a sense of being.

No man has the ability to retract a reward that is not monetary – “no man can ever know” or comprehend the reward. Conrad seems to find instruction and work ethic the defining characteristics of a productive member of society saying, “He was useful because he had been instructed.” Conrad shows his appreciation for work through Marlow. In the midst of his own hard work, he comments on the efficiency of the fireman. With the discovery of the old book on sailing related matters, Marlow admires the work put into the making of the book concerning this fascinating topic. “Your strength comes in, the faith in your ability for the digging of unostentatious holes to bury the stuff in –...

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...llard's capacity to restrain from falling victim to the `darkness' of the jungle by maintaining a sense of integrity and accomplishing goals through hard work. Both stories also examine the dehumanizing effect of colonialism on the colonizers. Kurtz is the embodiment of dehumanization in both Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness. Subsequently, Marlow and Willard are fundamentally alike characters, however they differ slightly. Willard is not always able to think like Marlow in the same experienced capacity. However, both men hold similar values of the meaning of work as means to maintain their civilized ways while entrapped by injustice and unfamiliar surroundings. Although the attempts proved to be futile, work prolonged the lifetime of their sanity and gave both characters a sense of purpose in pursuit of accomplishment. Work proves to be the ideal distraction.