Power

We live in a society where power is one of the most important things to men.  We are in a constant search to be on top of everyone, to have the power to control everyone. Even though I have not yet been so hungry for power, I have been affected by people who are in desperate need of it … politicians, most of the time. Wanting power is not a bad thing. However , when you start abusing of it and wanting more and more, that is when things get bad. Kurtz had nothing, yet when he starts becoming powerful and finds out his talent to appeal to people, he becomes greedy and hungry for power.

One of the most important characteristics of people who have power or who are in search of it is their eloquence. A clear example of this is politicians. They are very good with words and tend to say it in a way that makes people believe them even when it may not be true. Marlow describes Kurtz report of the International Society of Suppression of Savage Customs: “it was eloquent, vibrating with eloquence.” (pg. 91).  With this document he was able to spread his word. To attract people who were wealthy and literate. The ones he wouldn’t interact with directly but that would more likely support his voyages. This is a clear strategy that anyone who wants power would use. Politicians often say what we need to hear at any given moment, even when they know it is not true. They only do this to gain trust from the people. For example, leaders like Hitler, gained power because of his eloquence. He gained the trust of people and was able to do what he did because he was great with words. 

Kurtz was poor and he had gone out to the wilderness to fight that poverty. This shows how he wanted power for something more than just ruling over others. He wanted the wealth that came with it. Once he had money, he wanted more. He became corrupt. This shows what power can do to men. Nothing will ever be enough once they have some. They start to use their power and their image to get more and more and their greed grows immensely. Lately, politicians in Colombia have been just like Kurtz. They gain power because of their eloquence and promises and once they get it, they become corrupt and let the country and the cities slip into chaos.

In the end, however, no matter how much power you had while you lived, when you die you leave with nothing. Everything material you had will be lost; the only thing that remains is what people remember you by.  Kurtz final words “The horror! The Horror!” reflects the remorse he feels for what he’s done. In the pedestal of his death he finally understands it was worth nothing. He did bad things for the company because of greed and now he realizes they were really bad and feels ashamed of them. Most of the times politicians have this same feeling, when they are caught doing shady things, or when their term is over, they feel "sorry" for what they did. once in jail, they see it wasn't worth it. However, the people, don't learn from that. We keep falling in the danger of eloquence and believing in things that are impossible. It is like if it was human nature to fall for words.