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Example research essay topic: Completing The Quest Hidden Obstacles - 767 words

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An obstacle is an attachment that is a hindrance to a protagonist in any piece of literature. To overcome the hidden obstacles, one has to be focused, never losing sight of the objective or goal. In the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, the protagonist, Marlow, encounters a number of obstacles that creates a temporary shield from the completion of his quest. Although creating transient setbacks, the breakdown of his steamer, being disliked by the company representatives, as well as the attack encountered, are obstacles that Marlow has to overcome to complete his quest. The breakdown of his steamer creates an obstacle that devastates Marlow. Fifteen days after they arrive at the dilapidated Central Station, Marlow finds that the steamer he was to command has sunk.

Marlow's devastation is echoed, as he narrates, "Still But at the moment it presented itself simply as a confounded nuisance. The steamer was sunk" (Conrad 88). Marlow wonders in amazement at the mystery and devastation that he encounters when he realizes that the steamer had sunk. Something as simple as the steamboat's good condition, which can not be met, puzzles one to a great extent. This obstacle is the start of many others to follow, in the hopes of keeping Marlow from reaching Kurtz.

In light of what he learns later, Marlow suspects the damage to the steamer may have been intentional, to keep him from reaching his destination to complete his quest. Being the target of dislike by the company's representatives is another obstacle that Marlow encounters. They resent him because of his accomplishments that he has had on his journey so far -- way more than any of them could have attained. The company is eager to send Marlow to Africa, because one of their steamer captains has recently been killed in a scuffle with the natives. Marlow observes small details of one of the company's representatives, on his encounter with him, "If I tried I could poke my forefinger through him, and would find nothing inside but a little loose dirt, maybe" (Conrad 95 - 96). This representative is the brickmaker, a petty and conniving man who assumes that other people are, too.

He is the favourite of the manager, and a corporate spy. Marlow, naively setting out on his own childhood adventure, realizes how cynical society, or even a company representative can be out of spite. The jealously of the company's representatives becomes an obstacle for Marlow, preventing him from completing his quest. Lastly, dealing with an attack resulting with the death of his helmsman, creates a protruding obstacle for Marlow. The difficulty of aiding an attacked man while endangering his own life, crushes Marlow slightly. To add to the burden of an attack and death, there is a heavy fog through which the steamer is gliding through.

This obstacle is recognized when an awed voice whispers, "'Will they attack? We will all be butchered in this fog'" (Conrad 114). The fear of attack is undoubtedly present, and the tension rises in the steamer. To make matters worse, Marlow notices a few of his workers not working to their full potential, as he reports: I was looking down at the sounding-pole, and feeling much annoyed when I saw my pokemon give up that business suddenly, and stretch himself flat on the deck, without even taking the trouble to haul his pole in. (Conrad 120) The frustration of Marlow, through this whole ordeal, is let out. The lack of work, the fear, the attack, and the death is all too much for him to handle. He perceives an extreme sense of disappointment as he realizes that he has been striving after something altogether without a substance, knowing that Kurtz could be dead after the attack.

The whole disappointment, without even reaching his destination, creates the biggest obstacle yet for Marlow. Marlow encounters many obstacles which prevents him from completing his quest. His steamboat suspiciously breaks down, delaying his journey for a number of weeks. Many of the company's representatives resent him because of his accomplishments of his quest so far, which is far more than they can achieve. The devastating attack in which his helmsman tragically dies nearly leads Marlow to having a breakdown. A protagonist's quest, no matter what, is never complete without difficulties and obstacles which they have to overcome sensibly, using any resources necessary.

It will avert them from the roadblocks set to prohibit them from the completion of their quest. Works Cited Page Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness and The Secret Sharer. United States of America: Signet Classic, 1997.


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Research essay sample on Completing The Quest Hidden Obstacles

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