Does civilization make people better or worse?

Freud/Conrad Does civilization make people better or worse? Examples?


I believe that civilization can have an effect on a person for better and for worse. The environment is the determining factor of whether you will become better or worse. The congo is referred to as the "darkness" because of its effect on the ego. Kurtz is an example of how the superego is diminished and the id unleashed when visiting the congo. However, take a person who has lived in the congo their whole life. If he or she is taken to London, he will be "civilized" and morals become more relevant thus him becoming a better person. 

MY ESSAY

My essay is going to analyze the symbol of ivory and its effect on Kurtz and Marlow. To fully develop my ideas I am going to explore the difference in speech patterns when the word is mentioned or the actually object is around. I think it is important to look at Ivory on the literal level (the importance of it) and on a metaphorical level (as a metaphor for the savage events that happen when obtaining the ivory).

Psychologic Journey

Conrad, through the voice of Marlow, conveys how the savage-like civilization in the congo distorts the mind. Although Conrad was morally straight when he was in Marlow's use of sarcasm and irony leads the reader to understand that he loses his morals when he is in a savage environment. These environments are referred to by Marlow as "dark places." Experiencing being in the congo at a young age like Marlow was a psychologic journey that is unlike post-civilized England.

#6

Marlow encompasses the negative realities of the British colonization in Africa in the painting. The theme of light and darkness is reversed often in this poem. For example the torch that the woman is holding instead of symbolizing something good, it symbolizes the potential to ruin Africa. The dark tones of the painting reflect the vast amount of savageness. Marlow certainly reflects his own views through the painting.

Heart of Darkness #2

I think story begins with the description of England in old times when they were savage colonies because Africa is like England in those days. By giving this account, the reader understands what the journey ahead will be like.

#7

The author's choice of wording coincides with his or her meaning of of the poem. The tone and mood is affected by the carefully chosen words. Diction is an important factor in helping the reader notice the tonal shifts in the poem To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell. First the tone is conditional and words like "vegetable" slow down the pace and accentuates the word "love" that follows it. The tone shifts to pivotal as the author emphasizes time. Words such as "eternity" and "honour turned to dust" are crucial to the overall tone of the stanza. The final stanza has an extreme sense of urgency. The author is becoming angry and uses violent words like "birds of prey" and "power" but also nice words like "sweetness" and "morning dew." This contradiction is the tone of words is a reflection of the authors urgency and all his emotions building up.

#6

When used efficiently, Imagery can truly bring a poem to life. In his poem Introduction to Poetry, Billy Collins personifies a poem: Or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a light switch." Collins use of imagery helps the reader understand his point that a poem should be analyzed by falling into setting that the poem sets. His use of the 5 also helps the reader understand the poem more. It is as if Collins is testing the reader by seeing if he or she will actullay hold it up to the light or walk inside the poem's room. Imagery collectively helps the reader connect with the poem through senses.