Generally, the word passion has always carried a positive
connotation for me. My passion for Christ has encouraged me to delve the scripture.
My fondness for music pushes me to explore both old and new compositions. My enthusiasm
for literature drove me to declare English my major. my passions have all woven the essence of how I define myself, they bring
positive, beautiful elements into my life. And, I am pleased to say, that my passions have never caused harm to others.
The passions of some, though, cannot
be spoken of so lightly or favorably.
Merriam-Webster offers several definitions of passion.
The first captures the interpretation I frequently make use of:
Passion: a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some
activity, object, or concept; ardent affection
The term affection allows a pleasant and desired interpretation
of this word.
But a second definition leaves room for a dark, unbridled,
scary passion like that of Kurtz in Joseph Conrad¿s Heart of Darkness:
Passion: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or
conviction
Kurtz¿s passion for ivory and the indulgent wealth that
accompanies reveal the dark heart within him. Ironically, as Kurtz subconsciously longs to escape the dark world he created
for himself, represented by the clean white of ¿ivory¿ he pursues, the shadowy depth of darkness perpetuates as he schemes
and deceives to obtain this very prize. His passion for this tainted treasure leads him to outlandish measures.
One character recounts Kurtz¿s ¿overmastering feeling¿
or longing for ivory: ¿ He declared he would shoot me unless I gave him the ivory and then cleared out of the country.¿(121)
(Below is an image of a box containing raw ivory.)
The conflicts seen in the Heart of Darkness¿ characters are shared with those in the recent movie Blood
Diamond. The lead character in this movie, Danny Archer, goes to great lengths to obtain the riches promised by diamonds
mined inhumanely in Africa.
In his quest for wealth and success, Danny comes to grips with reality, and the fleeting rewards he pursued as he surrenders
to death. The following image is a still from the movie Blood Diamond illustrating the lengths Danny Archer
goes to pursuing the diamond and eluding death.
