Black Servant Girl

Refer to Lueni

Joseph K.

Refer to Joseph Korzeniowski

King of Belgium

The King of Belgium's heart bursts with elation upon receiving the triumphant news that the final contingent of African insurgents has succumbed in the Belgian Congo. These rebels, a relentless menace, had persistently obstructed the ambitious railway project.

Joseph Korzeniowski

Joseph Korzeniowski, the illustrious scribe better known as Joseph Conrad, emerges in a new light as a clandestine ally and arms supplier to the African insurgents. Though Conrad had passed away five years earlier, in 1929, author Høeg resurrects him as a prominent character in the inaugural railway voyage into the Congo. Conrad's legendary tale, Heart of Darkness, mirrors a similar voyage along the Congo River during the late 1800s. Joseph K. alludes to this narrative without naming it, noting that his previous journeys and his age afford him more sagacity than his companions, positioning him as their guide. His role as their enigmatic host is marked by his insistence on honesty, yet he shrewdly withholds significant truths about himself until the tale unfolds further. Along the way, he sparks contentious dialogues that challenge both David and General Paul von Lettow Voerbeck. Joseph K. reflects that when he exposed the grim truths of colonialism in Heart of Darkness, it was met with disdain by the public, leading him to veil the truth as fiction thereafter.

Joseph K. accuses the general of deception, deriding his published memoirs that falsely portray the subjugated African people as grateful subjects. As the narrative progresses, Joseph K. becomes increasingly vocal in his denunciation of European imperialism. When Lueni, masquerading as his servant, is unveiled as the leader of the rebels, Joseph K. feigns ignorance. He, along with the general, offers a composed example for David, who is gripped by fear of death. After Lueni's departure from the train, Joseph K. discloses his alliance with her, ensuring their safety. At Joseph K.'s insistence and under his watchful eye, the trio of white men leap from the train as it slows to navigate a curve.

Lueni

Lueni, initially perceived as a humble servant girl, reveals herself as the formidable Ugandan leader of the African resistance, intent on derailing the European train. The narrative leaves her full name a mystery, yet what is striking is the Europeans’ utter disbelief that Lueni could be a woman. News of her supposed demise is reported by Joseph K. to the Belgian monarch, which renders her presence on the train all the more astonishing. She recounts her education in London to her fellow passengers, and it is unveiled at the story's conclusion that Joseph K. has clandestinely provided her with weapons for the insurgence. Lueni enriches the narrative with tales from her African heritage, using them to underscore her points.

David Rehn

David Rehn, the young Danish mathematician, finds himself amidst the railway's grand dedication, representing a Danish trading firm. Until recently, he had pursued mathematics with passion, believing it a bastion of certainty. However, after encountering Kurt Gödel and his revelations of inherent unpredictability in complex systems, David abandoned his mathematical pursuits. Yet, aboard the train traversing the Congo, David surprises himself by declaring his identity as a mathematician, driven by a scientist's quest for truth. This sparks a cascade of revelations, shattering preconceived notions about both Africa and Europe. David, once convinced of Europe's grandeur and Africa's enigmatic shadows, discovers the reverse to be true.

As the journey concludes, David's perspective is irrevocably altered. The veneer of European colonialism and warfare as benevolent endeavors is stripped away, revealing the stark horrors beneath. This...