Final answer:
In comparing 'Heart of Darkness' and 'Lord of the Flies', we find that both explore the theme of death and suffering but differ in approach; Conrad explores the psychological and moral implications while Golding looks at the physical and instinctive aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Responses to Death and Suffering
When examining Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', we notice distinct portrayals of death and suffering. Conrad's narrative delves into the psychological turmoil and moral decay born out of colonial exploitation and the corrupting influence of power.
In contrast, Golding's novel presents a more immediate, physical struggle for survival, where societal breakdown leads to savagery and loss of innocence. Both, however, touch upon the inherent darkness within humanity and how it emerges in the face of suffering.
'Heart of Darkness' is contemplative, focusing on the gradual unraveling of the protagonist, Marlow, as he journeys into the literal and figurative heart of darkness, representing both the African wilderness and the darkness of the human soul. The death and suffering he encounters are tied to the consequences of imperialism. Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', on the other hand, offers a stark vision of children turning to violence in an environment devoid of societal norms, making it evident that the capacity for cruelty and the resultant suffering are not limited to any age or civilization.
Both works serve to underscore the complexities of the human condition when faced with the extremes of death and suffering, yet they approach these themes through different lenses—the metaphysical and moral versus the immediate and physical.