Greed In Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

Through great words from Mahatma Gandhi on greed he states that: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs but not every man’s greed.” Mahatma Gandhi. This can be defined as the world has more than enough for a man’s necessary needs of survival, however many desire more than what is needed. In Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, ivory symbolizes the corruption and greed of men, therefore they demoralized themselves and loses their “civilized” ways. A man’s temptation slowly start to develop greed towards the individuals wants. Mr. Kurtz, one of the main characters in the novella, develop an insatiable thirst of greed for ivory therefore imperializing the native Africans and reinventing himself as a god. Throughout the novel, ivory plays a big role due to the fact to an individual avarice. As a matter of fact, many countries has been involved with illegal ivory trading. In Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, the themes of avarice and power are displayed through the symbolism of ivory and is discussed through the characters throughout the novella.

In the novella, Conrad constant use of ivory represents a man’s greed. In the book, Mr. Kurtz is known for his obsession for ivory and his means of obtaining it. Marlow describe Mr. Kurtz on how how he seeks ivory: “his head was like a ball- an ivory ball” (2.29). Unfortunately, Mr. Kurtz avarice for ivory lead himself to his own madness and downfall . Also, due to the fact that he was obsessed with ivory, he became addicted that he completely loses all ties to civilization. In Shooting an Elephant, by George Orwell, individual in the book seem to care for what would only benefit them. Near the end of the short story, after the elephant is murdered Orwell states: “Burmans we...

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...leveled individuals to fight and ultimately putting their lives in risks. Most of the time, theses individuals in power tend to abuse and hurt others into getting what they desire. Also, as seen through all religions, greed can be used as to manipulate people into something that would benefit them in the future. The idea that when power can result in good "unbounded" seems typical, but with what sacrifice must happen for this good? As seen in the novella Kurtz had paid the price; Kurtz became hollow and corrupted and began to slowly die. Benjamin Frankly states that "With great power comes with great responsibility" with power and as well as greed it does need a greater responsibility as well as greed. Greed and some power can be used as catalyst towards that goal but to much of these two or them both together can easily demoralize them and simply make them hollow.