Part III is the most intense part of the story. Marlow meets with Kurtz. These two men have a unique bond that mirrors one another’s personality. We finally discovered this complicated character. He is an ivory trader who is extremely good at obtaining ivory. His educated European background stands out in the Congo. His superior attitude is up there with God and he basically has all the natives believing he is above God. The Harlequin tells Marlow how he met Kurtz in the jungle and states. This man enlarged my mind. You can’t judge Kurtz like you would an ordinary man. Obviously, he idolizes Kurtz.
Part III is basically the meeting of these two men. Conrad insinuated that Marlow would probably become like Kurtz if he continues working in the jungle. Conrad demonstrated how the natives admired this God- like human being. They even went as far as attacking Marlow’s steamship, because they did not want Kurtz to leave them and the Congo.
The most interesting thing about this part is that the he stopped at nothing to get what he wanted. In the jungle, among the natives he controlled the land and demanded, as well as received respect. There was no way Kurtz could ever return to civilization, and give up such a ridiculous amount of power. Instead, he chose to remain in the jungles of the Congo, and be worshipped by all natives.
His last words were “The Horror! The Horror!” There was so much he wanted to accomplish, so much more he wanted to do. He had “great plans”. Kurtz’s last words could be interpreted in many ways.
The reader envisions Kurtz to be a strong and strapping Hercules type man. However, when we are introduced to him, he is physically fragile, weak and colorless. At one time he was a horrible man. Marlow will remember those last words forever.
I admired Marlow for not telling Kurtz’s native mistress those horrifying last words. Instead he made a civilized decision by telling her he spoke her name, when she asked him what his last words were. Marlow was able to find out a lot of information regarding Kurtz’s lifestyle, and respected him as a human being. Throughout the story, it appeared he protected him till the end.
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I really enjoyed reading your blog and I thought that you had some really good ideas. I like to think that when Kurtz said "the horror! the horror!" he was actually talking about Imperialism. Mostly because I think it would make the ending much more dramatic and in a way beautiful. Kurtz was taken in by imperialism and went to the jungle to escape and now , before his death he sees his life flash before his eyes and he is scared, not only for what he has seen but what the future of imperialism may hold for itself and the world.
ReplyDeleteI never really got the feeling that Kurtz was this amazing guy. I felt like Marlow was just fascinated with him from what he has heard from others.
ReplyDeleteI found it rather self centered that his last words reflected that he didn't get to finish his life plans. Kurtz saw himself as a god and only cared about himself and his ivory