Comparison between "Heart of Darkness" and "Waiting for the Barbarians"

Aside from the similar subject matter, "Heart of Darkness" and "Waiting for the Barbarians" have a strong connection between their characters and the roles these characters play. These connections between the two novels are evident throught the work of Douglas Kerr's, "Three Ways of Going Wrong." Kerr points out many parallels between the two works although many of these connections are based between the Magistrate and Marlow and Kurtz and Colonel Joll. In my eyes, one of the strongest connections is between Kurtz and Colonel Joll. Both are men of power and authority, who make decisions that torture and ruin the lives of many innocent people. Both men are challenged by an inferior authority (the Magistrate and Marlow) which helps reveal the depth of the men's torture rituals. Also, both of the men have a relationship with a woman who become central figures and a topic of discussion throughout the novel. It seems as though Kurtz and Colonel Joll are very similar regarding their tactics and ways of life. They are also similar in their approach to the barbarians. They both view it as a business deal. The innocence of the barbarians has no significance to either of them in that the barbarians are no longer evident as humans. They are disposed of in the most grotesque of ways and without a care in the world. All this is due to the fact that it is all business. All in all, both come off to the reader with a feeling of disgust. Furthermore, the Magistrate and Marlow also help connect Colonel Joll and Kurtz. Both the Magistrate and Marlow are forever changed by the actions of their individual superior figure. One could say that a strange, forced bond has been formed between the respective characters, in that both Marlow and the Magistrate have to deal with their superior figure even though they are opposed to their actions. Just like Marlow, the Magistrate becomes haunted by the cruelty inflicted on the barbarians by the Colonel and Kurtz. Lucklily, Marlow and the Magistrate stand up for what they believe is right and try to change the cruelty toward the barbarians. "Waiting for the Barbarians" and "Heart of Darkness" are two very similar novels in that the reader cares for the figures who stand up for the innocent and hate the men who inflict the torture. In this way, the two novels are interestingly connected but have their own respective individualities that make both novels interesting.