Sovereigns of the Primitive: The Rise and Fall of Kurtz and Jack

Abstract

This paper examines the thematic parallels between Kurtz from Heart of Darkness, and Jack from Lord of the Flies focusing on their descent from civilization to savagery. Both characters, in spite of their different social backgrounds, ages, and circumstances, expose the fragility and inherent vulnerability of civilization when individuals are kept in isolation, and removed from the societal norms, mores, and other social structures that sustain harmony and order in human society. Through the comparative analysis, the study explores the inherent forces that prompt their moral degradation, highlighting the broader themes of human nature and psyche, the debasing impact of unrestrained power, and the ultimate collapse of civilization. The study highlights the similar routes of both characters, illustrating how absolute power and lack of external checks contribute to their moral degradation. The findings suggest the significance of further scrutinizing these forces to better understand the dynamics of morality and power in isolated environments.