Heart of Darkness #4

Conrad describes Kurtz from multiple perspectives before the audience actually meets him. This highlights certain aspects of his character so that the reader has some identity to look for and grasp onto when Kurtz is finally revealed. On the ship, Marlow flashes forward in his story to describe Kurtz. Kurtz is very possessive; he feels that all of the land and all of the ivory are entitled to him. However, Marlow reveals that Kurtz “was very little more than a voice” (Conrad 125). His voice clearly carries an extensive amount of power, for Kurtz has been extremely successful in raiding the land for ivory. He is also given the task of writing a report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs. In his report, Kurtz explains that whites “must necessarily appear to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings” (Conrad 127). The eloquence of Kurtz’s writing helps him to be very persuasive, and even Marlow admits that the words convince him of Kurtz’s argument. Kurtz seems to view himself as a god with the power and right to control the African people. This may have partially been caused by his isolation in the jungle; he is given the opportunity to establish his own role there. After the reader receives this information, the story returns to Marlow on the boat, and the ship reaches the inner station. However, Kurtz is not immediately revealed at the heart of the jungle; another character introduces the reader to him first. When the steamboat finally reaches the inner station, a strange man greets the ship. He is referred to as a “harlequin” dressed in brightly patched clothes. This man is completely and insensibly devoted to Kurtz. He remains in this isolated jungle to care for Kurtz even though Kurtz does not ask for nor seem to appreciate his help. In fact, Kurtz threatens to shoot the man when he does not give over his ivory. Still, the harlequin remains ever faithful to Kurtz; he is like a disciple. The man speaks of Kurtz with reverence, and he excuses any questionable deeds by proclaiming that Kurtz is not an “ordinary man” (Conrad 135). The harlequin tells Marlow, “You don’t talk with that man—you listen to him” (Conrad 132). This man confirms both Kurtz’s power with words and his godlike view of himself. Kurtz is able to control not only the African people but also the Europeans, such as the harlequin. He is gifted with eloquence, and he uses this gift to obtain power. The harlequin explains, “he came to them with thunder and lightning, you know—and they had never seen anything like it—and very terrible. He could be very terrible” (Conrad 135). The man recognizes that Kurtz can be “terrible,” yet it seems justified for the greater good that Kurtz appears to support. He is once again presented as a supreme being. Marlow seems repulsed with Kurtz as the man describes him, yet in his previous flashback he offers some explanations for Kurtz’s behaviors. The various interpretations of Kurtz show the reader that he is complex and not necessarily as evil as he seems. Somehow, Marlow will develop some greater understanding of Kurtz’s character.