In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, he discusses the battle between innate evil and the goodness present in every human being. Through the development of the characters in the novel, Conrad expresses what pushes a person to let either their bad intentions or their good intentions dominate. By juxtaposing the characters of Marlow and Kurtz, Joseph Conrad suggests that to avoid succumbing to natural evil intentions, or the heart of darkness, one must consciously avoid fixating on the desires of the world. These secular ambitions are the cause of Kurtz's total submission to his inner evil. Although Kurtz and Marlow made the same physical journey into the interior of Africa, these men and their spiritual journeys are distinguished by their choices, which inevitably allow them to emphasize either their nefarious or their admiral characteristics. Kurtz's centuries-old desire for ivory and his blind ambition for a corporate position compel him to abandon the constraints of society and travel to the Congo, where his isolation forces him to discover his dark self. Kurtz's insatiable desire for worldly objects leads him to commit inhumane acts, such as placing African heads on stakes around his home. He sinks into savagery: he abandons himself to his inner darkness and evil. In contrast, Marlow, who is on the same journey as Kurtz, initially begins with a different intention and mindset. He values ​​his work, but is bound by honor and truth; he “hates, hates, cannot stand lies.” Ultimately, his responsibility and moral system allow Marlow to rise above his heart of darkness and leave the Congo safely, while Kurtz's surrender leads to his death. In today's modern society, the notion of limiting secular aspirations and ambitions is still applicable because humanity continues to struggle with secular attractions; human beings still struggle to succumb to their innate goodness or evil. When Conrad writes that there were people who “were men”. enough to face the darkness,” he implores humanity to recognize the presence of good and evil in the soul, but to emphasize the good by controlling worldly desires and ambitions. Say No to Plagiarism Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violence”. Shouldn't video games be banned? Get the original essay