Help a voracious reader out!

Read Doctor Faustus, Heart of Darkness, and Moby Dick. What's the central question these works raise?

The prompt is, "Critic Roland Barthes has said, "Literature is the question minus the answer." Considering Barthes' observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question the works raise and the extent to which they offer any answers. Explain how the authors' treatment of this question affects your understanding of these works as a whole."

I can't really construct a common question for all 3 books. My inclination is hovering around human nature and evil/ bad judgement. Any ideas would be seriously appreciated?

Here's where I admit (to the tomato throws of my inner literary being) that I have not read Heart of Darkness, never got around it.

As for the other two, and in connection with Barthes' quote, I'd focus on the endings and how there seems to be no resolvability to them.

Not quite sure if that applies to the thrid

I suspect the linking themes are Does Man decide his fate/destiny what have you or the circumstances. Is the whale really to blame or Ahab in his obsession. Does a civilized entering the 'dark' of Africe HAVE to revert to savagery etc. Just a thought to spur you on. Have not Dr. Faustus by Marlowe sorry.

Thanks for the responses. I haven't finished Moby Dick yet so I'm not entirely sure, but something having to do with redemption is what I'm seeing right now.

bump

its been years since ive read faustus, ive not read heart of darkness yet, and i absolutely loathed moby dick, but i kinda like where mtpspur is heading. some question along the lines of man being driven by his passions to his destruction versus his ability to rise above them rationally and live according to reason...

gee i dont see redemption in moby dick---youd have to elaborate on that one for me. its more plain maniacal revenge to the detriment of those around him. nor is redemption in my memory from faustus. i cant remember if that latter point is also present in faustus---the harm of those around him. whaddya think?

Literature is the question minus the answer - Barthes


The point is that there is no redemption....leaving all the questions that the texts propose (including blind ambition of man) open and unanswered for.

I think I’m seeing mtspur’s point. I can definitely see a line of fate/destiny lying in Dr. Faustus. There’s the question of whether Faustus was truly damned from the beginning or was his refusal to seek redemption and enter heaven entirely of his own volition.

As to redemption in dr. Faustus. Throughout the entire play, Faustus is offered opportunity to seek redemption and enter Heaven, but time and time again he refuses, until the end at which point it is too late.

Maybe something about men wanting "power." Faustus and Kurtz are into power. Only once got to page 100 of MD, but have seen the movie. The Capt'n is into power right, taking the ship off course to follow his will. Revenge right? or is that Capt'n Hook?

The easy essay would be attacking the Barthes quotation.