Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.
Georges Antoine Kurtz is an important character in the novel Heart of Darkness. Marlow is the narrator in the novel and he sets the stage for the story by saying that, “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.” (Conrad, 2003, p. 7). This implies that the author is much inclined in portraying the world as a place where victory does not matter much as compared to the joy attained in developing human relations. The author does not give much value to the character of Kurtz. He is portrayed as a dealer in ivory who is sent to Congo Free State by a shady company from Belgium.
Kurtz is indeed a charismatic character who, by using advanced technologies turns himself into a literal demigod for the tribal people that lived around his station. In this manner, he was able to collect large quantities of ivory from the local people and soon becomes very popular in the entire region. The Belgian company’s general manager who is stationed along with Kurtz becomes jealous of him and plans to stage a conspiracy to get him out of his way. It is evident after reading the entire book that Kurtz is a man with several talents. He is a painter, writer, and politician in the making.
Many of the major themes in the novel are related to the character of Kurtz and his actions. He is a true example of a person with a heart filled with darkness. His actions reveal to Marlow as also to the reader the decadence to which humans can fall. Kurtz is in full authority at the Inner Station which is the company depot in the deeper interiors of the Congo Free State. Kurtz establishes his expertise in extracting maximum supplies of ivory from the natives which are more than what is collected by all the other managers. He is also dreaded because of his contacts with the higher authorities in the company as also because of the unethical practices he adopts while operating in Congo. Marlow meets Kurtz at a time when he is already in bad health and passes away before he can be taken back to Europe. Although at first Kurtz has a gracious objective in believing that he could assist the natives in improving their culture, but his experience in the interiors transforms him and his philosophies entirely.
A painting by Kurtz has been included in the book that depicts a blindfolded woman holding a torch against an almost dark backdrop, which symbolizes his past views. Kurtz is also a writer who writes pamphlets about native civilizations. He is aptly described in Marlow’s words as “But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself and, by heavens I tell you, it had gone mad.” (Conrad, 2003, p. 66). The quote is indicative of the loneliness that Kurtz experiences and depicts the intensity of his emotions in being away from his homeland.
However, while Kurtz is in Africa he starts adopting corrupt practices, which is evident from the way in which he scribbles on his pamphlet to exterminate the natives by calling them brutes. He induced the natives to pay reverence to him and set up rites and rituals that indicated his nature as a tyrant. When the narrator in the novel, Marlow, sees Kurtz, he becomes sick with jungle fever and is on the verge of dying. Marlow gets hold of Kurtz and attempts to take him to his steamboat along the river. Kurtz passes away while in the boat by uttering the words, “‘The horror! The horror,” (Conrad, 2003, p. 69). This clearly indicates the horror situations that Kurtz experiences.
The character of Kurtz conveys symbolism that is important in understanding his complex qualities as a human being. The background of Kurtz is aptly described by the author, “all Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz, and by and by I learned that most appropriately the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs had entrusted him with the making of a report for its future guidance,” (Conrad, 2003, p.49). it is true that Kurtz had gradually transformed himself into a savage who had no sentiments and emotions for fellow humans.
The painting by Kurtz represents taming the impulse by way of compassionate imperialism. The constant connection that Kurtz has with darkness depicts the reversal of his plans, with his life being surrounded by darkness. This was aptly implied when Marlow stated that the wilderness ran through Kurtz’s veins. Kurtz is depicted as being constantly related to shadows, which reveals that he epitomizes the archetype shadow of Marlow. The half-dead state of Kurtz has been explained in different ways. He is portrayed as being unable to walk properly in being as light as a child despite his great eminence. As acknowledged by Marlow, Kurtz is primarily thought of in terms of his voice only.
References
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Fiction. Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print.
Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.