Civilization and savagery in Conrad's heart of the darkness with some references to Golding's lord of the flies

Abstract EN

Joseph Conrad‟s Heart of the Darkness (henceforth HOD) implies that every man has a heart of darkness that is usually drowned out by the light of civilization and that same heart might has the tendency to revert to savagery.

Man is able to throw off the restraints of civilization and may be able to de-evolve into primitive state.

This research will shed light on the relationship between “civilization” and “savagery” as it is reflected on the relationship between the civilized man and the barbarity that boils beneath the surface of every human being.

Marlow and Kurtz are two opposite examples of the human condition.

Marlow represents the civilized soul that has not been drawn back into savagery by a dark, alienated jungle while it is Kurtz who has totally followed his own intrinsic desires with a protective, civilized environment.

So this research will tackle all circumstances that lead to man‟s deterioration towards the worst condition in life.

Joseph Conrad‟s HOD sets beautifully the setting and symbols that clarifies its major theme namely civilization and savagery.

At the same level of success, William Golding presents another picture of civilization and savagery in his novel Lord of the Flies which will be mentioned at the last part of the research in a short comparative study