Kurtz
Extended Character Analysis
Kurtz is a mysterious figure throughout much of the novel. Marlow first hears about him from the Chief Accountant, who describes him as a first-class agent in charge of a very important trading post. Kurtz contributes more ivory than all the other posts combined. The Chief Accountant wants Marlow to tell Kurtz that he is doing a satisfactory job, and he tells Marlow that he expects Kurtz to advance in the company.
The General Manager says that Kurtz is rumored to be ill and that his station is in jeopardy, which is why Marlow needs to hasten to the Inner Station. From the brickmaker, Marlow learns that Kurtz and Marlow were recommended by the same people, implying that they have similar backgrounds. Kurtz’s presence has upset the brickmaker and the General Manager, who both have professional ambitions that are threatened by Kurtz’s high volume of ivory. Though Kurtz could have been relieved and returned to Europe, he remained at the Inner Station.
On their way to the Inner Station, Marlow and the steamboat crew come across the Russian’s old campsite, where a faded message reads, “Wood for you. Hurry up. Approach cautiously.” Unbeknownst to Marlow, when Kurtz discovers that the steamboat is making its way to the Inner Station, he orders a group of Africans to attack the ship. Marlow is able to scare them off with the boat whistle.
Marlow mentions that Kurtz had been charged with writing a pamphlet about the Congo and the Africans. Kurtz posits that whites must appear like gods to the Africans in order to positively influence them. Marlow describes the writing as inspired, high-minded, noble, and eloquent. He suspects it was written before Kurtz attended African rituals and celebrations, which were offered to Kurtz as if he were a god. Marlow likens these rituals to witchcraft and considers them corrupting forces. Kurtz also adds an alarming postscript to the paper that reads “Exterminate all the brutes!”
The Russian provides further insight into Kurtz’s character, saying that Kurtz would “forget himself” when he would go live among the Africans. Kurtz claims to despise “the brutes,” but he cannot resist going back to the grandiose life he has made for himself. He commands the Africans to leave when the steamboat arrives and allows the pilgrims to carry him into the small house. There is a lot of ivory in the station, and Marlow sees that there are heads on the fencepost, which the Russians says are the heads of “rebels.”
After Marlow intercepts Kurtz, the Europeans take him on the steamboat, where he dies on the way back to Brussels. His last words are, “The horror! The horror!” as he seems to reflect on his actions.
Kurtz is discussed extensively throughout the novel, and he is built up to be an impressive and visionary man with a great deal of professional potential. When Marlow meets him, he realizes that Kurtz’s grandiose ideas have resulted in extreme violence and the dangerous inflation of Kurtz’s ego. “All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz,” according to Marlow. Indeed, Kurtz represents Europe’s self-righteous approach to colonialism.
Expert Q&A
In Heart of Darkness, what does Kurtz mean by "exterminate all the brutes"?
Kurtz's infamous phrase "exterminate all the brutes" in Heart of Darkness is enigmatic and open to interpretation. It could possibly be a reflection of his recognition of the natives' brutal savagery, which he himself has succumbed to, thereby acting as a warning to others to avoid such deep involvement with the natives. Alternatively, it may reflect his descent into madness and moral dissolution, exacerbated by isolation and ambition, leading to a vision of extermination.
In Heart of Darkness, how is Kurtz's or Marlow's gift both an advantage and a problem, and how does it contribute to the overall meaning of the work?
Why do the natives in Heart of Darkness like Kurtz?
In Heart of Darkness, the natives adore Kurtz and worship him as a demigod partly because of his personal charisma, but also because he has superior European technology which they have never seen before.
In part 3 of Heart of Darkness, what does "he had something to say" reveal about Kurtz?
In Part 3, "he had something to say" reveals Kurtz's capacity for profound moral judgment at the brink of death. Unlike Marlow, who admits he would have nothing to say in his final moments, Kurtz confronts the "whole universe" with his last words, "The horror!" This indicates his ability to perceive and condemn the moral corruption he witnessed, a victory of insight over ignorance, contrasting with Marlow's anticipated silence and inability to judge.
Does Kurtz in Conrad's Heart of Darkness exhibit the characteristics of a tragic hero, and if so, how?
Kurtz in Conrad's Heart of Darkness exhibits characteristics of a tragic hero through his excessive pride and eventual downfall. Initially possessing honorable intentions, Kurtz's pride leads him to view himself as a god, causing his moral decline and demise. Although not nobility, his influential societal role parallels a modern form of nobility. His talents aid his rise but do not align with classic tragic hero traits, emphasizing his pride and downfall as key tragic elements.
How does Kurtz's use of "my" in Heart of Darkness reflect his downfall?
Kurtz's repeated use of "my" signifies his delusion of ownership and control, reflecting his downfall in Heart of Darkness. This possessiveness blinds him to the reality that he cannot truly own the wilderness or the people around him. It also obscures the more profound issue of what or who owns him, as the powers of darkness claim his soul while he is preoccupied with claiming external possessions.
In Heart of Darkness, what "things" had the wilderness whispered to Kurtz that he didn't know?
The wilderness "whispered" to Kurtz, revealing his latent, primitive instincts and capacity for brutality, which he did not recognize before. This awakening led him to act on his unchecked desires, symbolized by the shrunken heads outside his house. The jungle exposed Kurtz's imperfections and mortality, leading him to embrace violence as a coping mechanism. Ultimately, the wilderness drew Kurtz into its depths, severing his ties to the civilized world he once represented.
The meaning and significance of Kurtz's dying words, "The horror! The horror!" in Heart of Darkness
Kurtz's dying words, "The horror! The horror!" in Heart of Darkness signify his realization of the darkness within himself and the atrocities he has committed. They reflect his ultimate understanding of the depths of human depravity and the existential terror of his own moral corruption and the broader imperialist exploitation.
How does Kurtz exemplify spiritual degeneration in Heart of Darkness?
Kurtz exemplifies spiritual degeneration in "Heart of Darkness" through his descent into madness and moral corruption. Initially entering the Congo with intentions of spreading European civilization and extracting ivory, he becomes a tyrannical figure, revered by the natives and exploiting them to satisfy his greed and lust for power. His actions, like inciting tribal conflicts for ivory, symbolize his moral decay, culminating in his chilling last words, "The horror! The horror!"
In Heart of Darkness, why did Kurtz and Marlow embark on dangerous journeys to unknown territories?
In Heart of Darkness, Marlow and Kurtz embarked on dangerous journeys to largely unknown territories to satisfy their respective quests for adventure. Both were hired to go to Africa in search of ivory.
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