Fredrick R. Karl: Heart of Darkness

Karl discusses the extent of corruption people can achieve due to the lack of restraint, specifically, Kurtz.  In Africa, one's primal instincts kick in where it is the survival of the fittest, and where there is no restraint by societal standards.  Kurtz is able to become the ultimate, savage monarch, having complete control of a tribe, despite not having the same background them.  He loses connection with human sympathy as displayed by the heads on stakes that "greet" him every time he steps out of his abode.