compare Also, both novels imply that every man

compare Also, both novels imply that every man

compare contrast essaysHeart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies Seldom are works as brilliantly written as Conrad’s Heart of Darkness or Golding’s Lord of the Flies. There are effective comparisons and contrasts between the two novels.

The novels deal with many similar issues and contain many of the same themes. Many of the themes present in Heart of Darkness and also present in Lord of the Flies. Both novels deal with the theme of civilization versus savagery.

Also, both novels imply that every man has a heart of darkness or an evil that is usually drowned out by the light of civilization. However, when removed from civilized society, the raw evil of untamed lifestyles within his soul will be unleashed. For example, in the Heart of Darkness the main character Marlow journeys up the Thames river and as he gets further away from civilization, the more he journey’s into a heart of darkness. A darkness where societal morals no longer exist and savagery has taken over.

In the Lord of the Flies the boys in the novel are stranded on an island and the longer they stay on the island and are absent from civilization the more savage like they become. Another similarity between the two novels is that the parallels between the protagonists and the antagonists are quite similar. Both the novels have a character who willingly gives into his heart of darkness, and a character who sees the savagery of those who are consumed and fights to return to civilization. For example, in the Heart of Darkness Kurtz gave into his heart of darkness and let his evil tendencies take over. He was a one point a man who values morals but gave into his evil side when removed from civilization. Marlow on the other hand also journeys away from civilization but he does not let his values deteriorate such as Kurtz.

In Lord of the Flies Jack gave into his evil side and becomes savage like, and begins turning against the ones who were his friends. Ralph on the other hand was not as easily consumed by his evil side. Until his death, Ralph realized the savagery of the others especially Jack. Although with the comparisons discussed, there are differences in the works, but the similarities are too significant to be simply marked as a coincidence. Are there reasons for the obvious connections? Could Golding have simply based his novel on the ideas of Conrad? Both authors work is characterized by the exploration of the “darkness of mans heart.” When two people live very similar lives, it would be hard for them not to have the same ideas and beliefs.

Golding and Conrad were very similar men, one of their biggest difference was that they were born with many years between them. One of there most outstanding similarities is that both were men of sea who served in the Navy. Could their experiences in the Navy have effected there writing? The two were said to have obtained a dark view on humanities progress. It could also be debated that both Conrad and Golding’s writings were effected by war.

Golding was a part of the sinking of a German battleship in World War II. Through this most likely saw the effects that the isolation of war had on the people. How the many men of war became sour and cold towards others because of their isolation from society. During his 20 years at sea Conrad had seen the effects of many wars. The experiences that were trusted upon him laid much of the groundwork for the vivid details in his novels.