Comparing Ivan Ilych And Heart Of Darkness

The Depths of Life Both novels The Death of Ivan Ilych and Heart of Darkness were produced in the late nineteenth century. Ironically these were both were considered rather dark novels during this time of optimism. The general world view was that technology would be able to solve all our problems. Poverty would be solved, no one would go hungry, there would be no more war, all diseases would be cured, and life overall would be better for everyone. These two novels challenged that view and drew attention to some issues that would be significant in the future. The Death of Ivan Ilych and Heart of Darkness discus the value of life, regarding the way a person lives their life and the way a person views the life of another. They also discuss personal
Clearly, Ivan considered the life he lived to be virtuous because he was able to achieve status and was successful in his career. However, the way he dealt with his life was through ambition and greed. When he didn't receive the promotion he thought he deserved he became angry and quit, then moved his family elsewhere. His own family he treated indifferently, in fact, at first when his wife became pregnant he didn't like this and so he become more consumed with his work and was emotionally disconnected with his son. When he fell ill he became consumed with pity for himself and longed for death, but it didn't come until he finally realized his life had been worthless. Kurtz in the other novel was considered a virtuous and brave man. However, his writings portrayed otherwise to the reader, to the other characters in the book he was considered wise. This shows the mentality and values of this time era. Kurtz was essentially the one who began the notion of racism. The natives he considered primitive and savage, yet he eventually joined them in their "uncivilized" ways. However, when Kurtz became savage he still did not lose his virtue in the eyes of the other characters, even until his