Heart of Darkness Analysis 2

On page 406 of Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Conrad touches on the idea of society's downfall and disfunction without those who keep people in line, "How could you?- with solid pavement under your feet, surrounded by kind neighbors ready to cheer you or to fall on you, stepping delicately between the butcher and the policeman- by the way of silence- utter silence, where no warning voice of a kind neighbor can be heard whispering of public opinion?"Conrad talks about the inner workings of society, how people live their lives while making a mistake here and there, but avoiding those in charge. Without this idea of "external checks," society would be in a state of complete chaos, with no one in charge and no one to instill morals in citizens. As Marlow travels through Africa and its distinct civilizations, he begins to realize the true differences of power around the world.