Edin Kadic_prezentacija2

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METAPHYSICAL EVIL,DIABOLISM AND PARADOX IN

WORKS OF JOSEPH CONRAD



THE GOAL OF THIS THESIS:

1. METAPHYSICAL EVIL

2. DIABOLISM

3. PARADOX



TYPES OF EVIL

� Physical Evil

� Moral Evil

� Metaphysical Evil

� Radical Evil

� Diabolical Evil



DIABOLISM

� action aided or caused by the devil

� the character or condition of a devil

� doctrine concerning devil

� a belief in or worship of devils

� action befitting the devil



� CATACLYSMS ON PLANET EARTH (Asteroid and Comet

Impacts) - EFFECTS ON ORGANIC WORLD

�

WHAT DETERMINED THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPHCONRAD'S WORKS ?

� JOSEPH CONRAD ± "HOMO DUPLEX" (THE DOUBLE MAN)



ANALYSIS OF "HEART OF DARKNESS"

� Conradian chiaroscuro: light and darkness

(Such force, represented through appearance of

darkness, becomes dominant feature from the start of the

novella, and intensifies the mood in which the story

unfolds. The chiaroscuro that Conrad applied here

represents eternal µjaniform¶ dualism of never ceasing

struggle between the light and darkness, but also the

existence of both at the same time.)

� Jungian "Persona" and Jungian "Shadow" in the Novella

� Paradox: Death and Destruction Brought Upon by White Race



� Distorted Biblical Metaphor:

± The Congo River ± Biblical Snake

± "the forbidden tree" ± Company's business

± woman ± the"mediator" between Adam, or Marlow and

sinful world, world of metaphysical evil

± company's building and "magnificent dependancy"

(African territory) ± "cursed land" of "Adam's account³

� Greed of White Men on African ContinentDisfigured the Conscience of Europe Like Never

Before in the History of a Mankind



�

Colour

± red colour on map of "progress" ± reference to Seth,

god of Upper Egypt, ancient Egyptian demon and

adversary to Horus, as well as reference to "red-eyeddevils that drove men"

± red colour is in notable accord with traditions that

represent Diabolos or devil, and suggestion is that such

evil is brought with white imperialism



� Speculation about White Race (Civilization's Flaw) ±

Metaphysical Evil

± "White progress" accentuates the fault in civilization (ravished landscapes,

forced labour, hostages, slave chains, burned villages, paramilitary

company ³sentries´, and the chicotte were order of the day

± "flaw" ± depicted as destructive effects of a ³superior´ race whose violent

actions taint the African landscape and its centuries old settlements.

± flaw is thought to represent a fault or imperfection, a distinct feature of

metaphysical Evil

± white imperialists, paradoxically, in Europe, they were called ³emissaries of

light, bearers of the progress, missionaries bringing civilization´. Lucifer ±³the bearer of light´

± the diabolical scene of a chain gang creates effect of complete inversion of

usual concepts of civilization and savagery.



� Devil

± reference to diabolism ± through action aided or caused

by the devil

± devil ± personified first as human, but behind which

stand powerful but negative emotions like greed, lust

and rapacity



� Evil

± Physical evil (account of destruction inflicted by imperialists¶

actions)

± Moral evil (cruelty and malevolence of colonialists through

ruthless exploitation ± deliberate departure from accepted

moral code)

± Metaphysical evil (decay and death are part of Order and life

and are instances of metaphysical evil; extreme exploitation is

instance of quickened process brought upon by the humans;

criminals going unpunished, deformities, lameness, deafness,

blindness in the ³grove of death´)



� Finiteness

± metaphysical evil is reflection of the state of nature as being

finite and imperfect and finite humanity within

± the reason for being finite and imperfect lies in a great

potential of humankind for destruction

± without ability for transgression there would not be moral

personality of human being (animals cannot commit sin that is

only in the sphere of humans.)

± metaphysical evil is man's inborn imperfection, but also thereis awareness of it and restraint (Example: restraint of

cannibals as "noble savages³ ± paradox)



� Kurtz's "Shadow"

± Mr . Kurtz, central character that expounds on ideals of

progress and reform, first commits radical evil by killing

natives and ruthlessly stealing their natural resources

but later indulges in diabolical evil

± Kurtz, away from restrictions of civilization, is assailed

by dark forces and unleashes Jungian "shadow" ±

primeval nature of man

± Kurtz has transgressed all bounds, committed every

sin, committed an unthinkable, he is an "overreacher"

and "hollow man"



CONCLUSION

³ And there are thi ng s--they look small enoug h sometimes too--by which some

of us are totally and completely und one.´

Lor d Jim

� Conrad¶s dilemma between atheism and Theodicy

� Metaphysical Evil

± Metaphysical evil is closely connected with essence of humanness (which is the reason why man is far

removed from unconscious animal and from immaculate being ± angel)

± Essence of humanness is restraint and control over our drives and weaknesses (evil) which is what

makes moral personality

± By painting this internal struggle Conrad lays the truth bare and explain and elucidates the complexity of

human nature

� Diabolism

± Demonic forces in Conrad's novels operate in the way to bring to surface greed, ferocity, indolence,

arrogance, envy and constantly awaken the dark side of human personality.

� Paradox

± Paradox is powerful tool with which Conrad assails the reader's mind

± Paradox is weapon with which Conrad defeats our indifference, our relativism, us being lulled into illusions

of our moral values.

± Paradox present in all of his works destroys illusions of society, civilization and culture.

Edin Kadic_prezentacija2

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