Who is Kurtz?
Kurtz is the protagonist of importance in Heart of Darkness. He works as an agent to collect ivory from the dark heart of Africa, Congo. Mr. Kurtz is known for his sheer strength of ambition (of collecting ivory obviously) as well as his refined eloquence. He is overly greedy in his shade of ambitions. His character is important in this novel because it is his character, which is used to display the inner darkness of the human soul. Let us discuss in detail about Mr. Kurtz.
His Reputation
Kurtz' reputation is mostly positive but it differs from character to character. The accountant considers Mr. Kurtz as a "first-class agent" as well as a "very remarkable man". According to the manager of the trading company, Mr. Kurtz is the best agent of the company. The Brick-Maker ranks Kurtz as a wonderful man. He asserts that Kurtz is a representative of pity, of science, of progress, and "devil knows of what else". The narrator of the story (Marlow), at first, is annoyed by the constant mentions of the importance of Kurtz for the company and for the natives, but, later, he grows his own interest to see and know about Mr. Kurtz. But the narration of Marlow reveals that Mr. Kurtz is "hollow at the core". In the next heading, we shall try to gauge why Mr. Kurtz is hollow at the core.
His Sense of Ownership
We are told by the manager that Kurtz is highly possessive. He is heard many times saying,
My ivory, my intended, my station, my river, ...
From this dialogue of Kurtz, it becomes obvious that he is deeply trapped in his dark sense of ownership of almost everything at his disposal. And he can go to every length to protect what he "owns". Another thing to note is that Kurtz mentions the ownership of ivory before his intended. Thus, showing his immense passion to collect ivory as much as he wants. But it is much more than what Mr. Kurtz owns. He owns the souls of the natives. For instance, the skulls hanging in front of his cottage are of those people who went against his wishes or revolted against him. The hanging skulls are his symbol of his godly power over people and their property. Marlow wonders when everything of the jungle belongs to him, to whom Mr. Kurtz belongs to? See the fourth heading for the answer.
His Pathetic Physique
Kurtz physical inflation is revealed when he is being shifted to the steamer Marlow is the captain of. His physical condition is quite contradictory to his stouter reputation and influence. He is even unable to walk. When he rises up a little from his stretcher to disperse the crowd, he looks like a ghost in a shroud. From his raised hands, the bones are clearly visible like ivory. Thus, all his might crumble under his pathetic physique, signalling at his fatal illness.
His Acclamation of Darkness (in him)
Kurtz last words before dying are "Horror! Horror!" and these words are of great significance. His last words clearly hint at something terrible and dark witnessed by Mr. Kurtz during his last minutes of life. His final words are the declaration of his dark and devilish adventures his soul had gone through. Such a profound level of possession over people and property; his uncontrolled passion for ivory and his lusty adventures during the "unspeakable rites* had made him a demonic figure. Perhaps every aim of his life was fulfilled, including his ivory, his river and his station. What remained unfulfilled was his marriage with his intended. Manifestly speaking, his last words signify his affirmation of his evil and primitive endeavours in the dark continent of Africa.
Conclusion
The character of Kurtz is truly a complex one who is evil both inwardly and outwardly yet his soul cleans itself from its evil endeavours by just uttering two words.
Sources and Suggested Readings
- Critical Studies of Heart of Darkness - Famous Products - Page 233
- https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/heart-of-darkness/mr-kurtz
