Heart of Darkness 4

Every man, or woman --to be politically and socially acceptable-- has buried, within himself, beneath centuries of societal norms and restrictions, a dark side, a savage side. When a man is taken out of society, and left to create his own norms, he must rediscover those primordial instincts which have sustained his species since the beginning of its existence. Survival of the fittest, physically and intellectually, cliqued as it may be, is the foundation of …

…in all men. Destined to encounter one another, Marlow had a connection with Kurtz from the moment the name was given to him, “He [Marlow] recognizes a kindred spirit [Kurtz]” (Walker, xiv). Marlow is tormented by both Kurtz and his abhorrent secret. He, also being a great man, keeps the torment to himself. Having fought the monster, and ebbed the temptation to become one, Marlow looked into the void --which was the darkness-- and survived.