Through the dehumanizing machine, Conrad shows how the revolutionary can never be a remorseful human being because in society people are without hearts . To R.B Cunninghame revolutionaries have, “faith,” “honour,” and “fidelity” (Conrad 264). To Cunninghame this is important because personality counts and if you have a good personality you can’t be, “a dangerous man.”(Conrad 264). Conrad describes one who is dangerous with the characteristics of a machine. Conrad describes machines to have no thought, no conscience, no foresight, and no heart. Leading the reader to believe that terrorist in a way isn’t human. He takes away the assumption that all living things must die with the word “immortal” and “indestructible” (Conrad 264). With these two adjectives Conrad paints a picture for the reader of terrorists which look like a cold, dark machine.
Even though revolutionaries don’t have hearts, these aren’t even revolutionaries according to Conrad. He retracts his statements by quoting, “All these people are not revolutionaries - they are shames.” (Conrad 265). Conrad explains that a “real” revolutionary does take thing one step at a time, instead they act like a millionaire and take on the big job. The millionaires can take on this big job because they have the resources to do so. It’s hard for anybody to tell a millionaire “No.”
In this Victorian era. letters about politics weren't at all secret. These letters between Conrad and Cunninghame were public. When society finds out that they are stronger than people themselves society might overthrow the government. Even though Conrad writes how people cannot control the government society may find a way to control the government and get not only what they need, but also what they want out of it.
Conrad, Joseph. "Joseph Conrad's Letters to R.B. Cunninghame." In The Secret Agent. Toronto, Ontario: Broadview Editions, 2009. Print.
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