No fear can stand up to hunger, no patience can wear it out, disgust simply does not exist where the hunger is; and as to superstition, beliefs and what you may call principles, they are less than chaff in the breeze. Don't you know the devilry of lingering starvation, its exasperating torment, its black thoughts, its sombre and brooding ferocity? Well, i do. It takes a man all his inborn strength to fight hunger properly. It's really easier to face bereavement, dishonor, and the perdition of one's soul than this kind of prolonged hunger.
The quote from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" vividly describes the overpowering nature of hunger and its ability to overshadow all other human experiences. The author emphasizes that when a person is truly hungry, no fear, patience, or beliefs can withstand the gnawing urgency that hunger brings. This immense craving challenges even the core of a person's principles and values, rendering them insignificant in the face of starvation. Hunger becomes a primal force that drives individuals to confront their darkest thoughts and instincts.
Conrad poignantly illustrates that the psychological toll of enduring prolonged hunger surpasses the pain of loss, shame, or even moral despair. The intensity of hunger strips away layers of humanity, exposing raw desperation and mental turmoil. This struggle demands every ounce of one's innate strength to combat, making it a profound, harrowing experience that can overshadow any other misfortune in life. Hunger, in this light, transforms into an all-consuming demon that tests the very limits of human endurance.