Kurtz

Kurtz plays a crucial role in Heart of Darkness. He became the whole reason why Marlow continued on his journey down the Congo. Throughout his trip, he had heard remarkable things about Kurtz. According to others , Kurtz is a brilliant man, with multiple talents. Marlow tried to make it seem like he is not at all interested in Kurtz, but as the story progresses, we see that this is not the case, and that he is truly fascinated by him. However, once Marlow, the pilgrims, and the manager reach Kurtz after barely surviving an attack, Kurtz is nowhere near what Marlow expected.
Based on what the other characters in the story said, I pictured Kurtz as a very outspoken, strong, and domineering man. The person that they found, however, was not what I ( or Marlow for that matter) had in mind. He was sick and feeble, the years and diseases had finally begun to take its toll on him. The only person there who really seems to be amazed by Kurtz is the Russian trader. He had devoted his entire life to Kurtz, and credits him for opening up his mind. The other members of the company seem to look at him with disdain. They do not find him amazing or remarkable at all. To them, he is someone who once was “remarkable”, but is now someone with “unsound methods” who has done nothing but harm the company’s business. Once again, Marlow appears to not have much of an interest in Kurtz. But in time, he develops an intimacy with Kurtz, so much that Kurtz trusts Marlow with some papers that will protect his legacy. But exactly what legacy was that? Could the papers contain detailed accounts of his adventures? Or did he want to be remembered for “all he had to say”? His cousin says he’s a musician, another says he’s a writer. Marlow says “ I had taken him for a painter who wrote for the papers, or else for a journalist who could paint.” His lack of knowledge about Kurtz’s profession does not seem to affect Marlow’s opinion of him. To him, he is still a remarkable man.
The way I see it, Kurtz represented one of the extremes of the effects on colonialism. On one side were the company members, who were into keeping up appearances. They held their heads up high amongst the natives, and did not give them any importance. Their only concern was to get what they needed. On the other hand, there was Kurtz, who vehemently rejects their rules of conduct. He shares a camaraderie with the natives ( who look up to him as if he were a god) and even has an African mistress. Marlow seems to be stuck somewhere in the middle. He is not in favor of the rules of the company, but he still can’t completely let go of everything he’s known and take Kurtz’s side.
Posted by Wendy C.