Mankind is be perceived differently among separate groups of people. Some have optimistic beliefs regarding human nature while others tend to oppose those views. Authors tend to employ rhetorical embellishments throughout their pieces in order to appeal to the reader. Using unique writing styles and techniques imply the deeper meaning to the story below the surface of the words that are written out. In his novel “The Heart of Darkness,” Joseph Conrad employs threatening personification to prove that one can not recover after being cut off from the rest of humanity. Despite the various other rhetorical embellishments that are included throughout the book, Conrad utilizes personification exceptionally effectively. He does so when he describes Kurtz being immersed into the eerie jungle by explaining how “the wilderness patted him on the head; got into his veins, consumed his flesh, and sealed his soul” (Conrad 44). It has been suggested that there is no real difference between the natural world and human nature, but others may argue that they are two completely different ideas. The jungle acts as its own character throughout the book and is involved in proving that Kurtz is losing himself…show more content… The jungle continues to eat away at Kurtz’s soul, especially when it is noted that “It had taken him, caressed him, loved him, embraced him- he was his spoiled and pampered favorite” (Conrad 44). The motivation behind using personification in this case is to describe how Kurtz is being cut off from the rest of humanity. Marlow seems to see Kurtz and the wilderness as two different things, but from the reader’s perspective, they look pretty similar: threatening and evil. The author frequently personifies the surrounding environment and uses words that create the illusion that the atmosphere is