In Heart of Darkness and The Stranger Joseph Conrad and Albert Camus manipulate different styles of language and structure, but both emphasize the isolation of the protagonists from society. In Heart of Darkness, Conrad uses descriptive language and metaphors about society while using minor roles in order to display Marlow's isolation. Meanwhile, in The Stranger, Camus structures the story in two parts to capture both sides of Meursault while developing a simple, direct writing style throughout the story to maintain the theme of isolation . Through the theme of isolation, Conrad and Camus both present the idea that life can be meaningless if not shared with the company of others. Joseph Conrad creates a pattern of light and darkness within society, without ever really placing Marlow on one side or the other, thereby isolating him. of everyone. When he first comes ashore, Marlow calls the natives criminals, creatures, and savages. This immediately gives the reader the idea that Marlow thinks he is different from them. One of the first things he notices when he sees them is their black skin and the fact that “each had an iron collar around his neck, and all were connected together by a chain” (Conrad 70). By describing the dark skin of the natives, Conrad manipulates Marlow into seeing them as the dark part of society. The chain links the natives together, literally but also figuratively. This metaphor is created to show the unity among the natives and that, whether by force or choice, they stick together. While the natives may not have much else, they do have each other's company which is then used to juxtapose the isolation in Marlow. When he meets white men in the Congo, his reaction is completely different. After taking into account the acco...... middle of paper ......ents that distinguish them from other characters. However, they both seem to experience a self-prescribed isolation because, in a way, they separate themselves from the rest of society. Towards the end of both novels, their character changes considerably. Meursault realizes that he could have been happier in life if he had not isolated himself. Marlow changes in how he cares more about the feelings of others. This is seen when he goes to talk to Kurtz's wife after his death. This small action demonstrates his attempt to be more social and less isolated. Both realizations come with the idea that the company of others is necessary for happiness in life. Works Cited-Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. New York: New American Library, 1997. Print.-Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Trans. Matthew Ward. New York: Vintage International, 1989. Print