Kurtz
at last materializes and ceases to be more than just a voice to Marlow.
How is this "atrocious phantom" a foil to the Russian?
The natives? Marlow? What seems real about him? Unreal? And most importantly, what do the last words of this man - "The horror! The horror!" mean to you? (Choose a couple of these for your response - you don't
have to answer EVERY question).
While reading the death of Kurtz it shocked me that he was an actual person. Sounds strange, but it's true. He has always been presented as this "Voice", and never really a human being. The things that stood out to me as real about Kurtz is that he has emotions. He has been someone presented as a recluse, and a greedy man who wants more than he needs, or really even wants to me. He had a kind of fear while he was dying and it showed that he is only human and can display the necessary emotions that comes with the "human territory". Although, one could argue insanity in death. He was featured as talking to himself when he said, "...Save me!-save the ivory you mean. Don't tell me. Save me! Why, I've had to save you. You are interrupting my plans now. Sick! Sick! Not so sick as you would like to believe. Never mind. I'll carry my ideas out yet- I will return..". I took this part as him having a conversation with himself out loud saying that he doesn't want to die simply for the fact of his greed and he wants someone, or himself, to save him so he can continue his path of greediness or so that he can be the person he was maybe before he traveled to the Congo. What seemed unreal to me about Kurtz his that even in death the ivory had such a hold on him that he refused, in a sense, to die. He tried to escape and when Marlow and the crew were on the steamboat coming to see him and got attacked, the Russian said that Kurtz told the Congolese to attack them! I knew there was greed in this world, but it seemed so unreal to me that it could grab and hold onto you even in death. Then again that's what this man was only ever there for so I guess it shouldn't seem that unreal to me. "The horror! The horror!"-- The horror of the ivory consuming him and changing him? The horror that he never imagined it would end the way it was ending for him? Or maybe the horrors of what he's done in his quest for more ivory? I think it's all the things he may have done to obtain the ivory. The killings of innocent people, the killing of the elephants, etc. You can't go as long as he did- killing and overcome by greed- for as long as he did and not feel at least a little something, or grief for what he's done. Any normal person, in my opinion, would feel some kind of remorse for that, even if done by greed. I guess, it just finally caught up to him and it's too much for him to bare.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you explained that maybe that by him saying "Save Me!...Save me!" he was referring to how he wants someone to save him from being the greedy man he is.
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DeleteHai thar Anisaaaaaaa.
Delete"It shocked me that he was an actual person." I think that basically encompasses the reaction for that scene. I love how you talked about the fact that greed even holds onto him during death. At this point in the novella, it's evident that Kurtz will never "escape" the jungle; he just physically and mentally can't go back to the life he had before he reached the Congo. And the same goes for anyone who goes there, I'd guess.
I really like how you started the post by saying that it shocked you that he was an actual person. Very true! I agree with your statement because we see Kurtz through the Russian's explanation as this man who is so senseless and doesn't care about his plans of extermination and power over the natives! Completely inhumane!
DeleteI was also skeptical of Kurtz being real and more than just a voice. When we finally met him, I thought it might have been another illusion. I also agree with you thought that his devotion to the ivory was unreal. It's incredible that a material object could have so much pull on one human being. It makes you reevaluate what you hold dear!
DeleteStarting off with your last question- what do the last words mean to me- I believe they really shows how Kurtz is looking inward and seeing how dark his heart has become. At first thought, it seems that Kurtz is dying and (religiously) sees where he is going to end up for his sins- Hell. The horror Kurtz sees is everything that he has witnessed: the exploitation of Africa, the evil within the heart of humans in general, his own crumbling sanity, and this illusion of hope, understand, and progress (reality v illusion). The life of Kurtz was full of horrid acts of cruelty. His career got to its peak due to his passion and love for ivory which was the result of the evil deeds that he performed with the exploitation of the savages.The words 'The horror!' were a reflection of his awareness of the devilish acts he performed throughout life. While dying Mr. Kurtz didn't find anything to be proud of which was painful for him. He was repenting for his sins and evidently visualising the horror of the hell. This kind of realization I believe, cannot come from a hardcore sinner but, it can only come to those who have some spark of goodness left in them. The russian and Kurtz are foils of one another- as Kurtz appears more strong and powerful (on the exterior) after hearing the description of the Russian- who is wearing patched up clothes and the face of a young boy. The Russian highlights the savagery in Kurtz. I believe that Kurtz most foils Marlow. Both stand close to insanity- yet Kurtz goes ahead and truly becomes mad whereas Marlow takes a step back. I found it interesting how they are the only two named throughout the entire novella. Kurtz and Marlow reflect the evil savage ways in one another. There is this main theme in the novel about the "savage" natives v the "civilized" Europeans, YET the the natives are pure, innocent, have restraint (when they could have easily eaten the shipmen), and truthful. The Europeans on the other hand are greedy, have no restraint, and constantly lie, doing whatever they can to get their hands on ivory. This brings up the question- what really is the definition of civilized? what about primitive? Does light always mean progress and improvement?? What seems to be real about Kurtz is his drive to be better. I think it is human nature to want more for yourself- if we were in his position would we have acted the same way ? Even on his deathbed, Kurtz has this mindset that "its a duty that he needs to furthur his ideas". I think America's mindset on foreign policy is the same as Kurtz. After reading the article on Friday, we promote "independence and democracy", yet put in corrupt leaders around the world to get what we want for cheap. That is exactly what Kurtz does.
ReplyDeleteI love how you brought in the question of "savagery" v "civilized" here. It is certain that we cannot view this issue in black and white (no pun intended) but in shades of grey. Kurtz has lived his life as a sinner, but in his mind he was fulfilling the duties of a white man. At the same time, he believed he was fulfilling his self-interests and remaining true to himself. So which is it? I like your explanation and agree that Kurtz is most likely fearing his punishment, but he does not regret his actions or hold the other European's actions against them.
DeleteI love how you talked about hell and how you think Kurtz is looking back at his life and coming to the realization that hell might be his new dwelling.
ReplyDeleteGoing off of what Jenna said, with Kurtz's words, "The horror! The horror!", I believe Kurtz is looking back on his past of greed and evil, scared about the dark end that is looming over him: hell. Everyone has heard of the stories people tell of the dying who have, in their last moments, witnessed their whole lives in a brief flashback and seen a glimpse of heaven or hell. This is what I believe is happening to Kurtz; he is revisiting everything he has done, all the evil deeds committed, everyone who has suffered at his hands, the greed that has taken a hold of him and his life, and has a momentary glimpse of hell and all of its atrocities. He finally comes to the realization that hell is where he'll probably be residing once he dies and he's scared for once, truly terrified of the "horrors". Contrasting this feeling of darkness, evil, and hell, the Russian proves as a foil to Kurtz by his optimistic, bright past and views on life itself. While Kurtz is focused on greed and aims to obtain all the wealth and glory he can accumulate and lay his hands on, the Russian wants and asks for absolutely nothing. All the Russian does is aims to please and be a faithful servant- "Kurtz's last disciple"- to Kurtz for nothing in return other than his respect and friendship. The Russian tell Marlow twice, "I am a simple man. I have no great thoughts. I want nothing from anybody." and "They are simple people- and I want nothing, you know." We see here that really, the Russian understands the natives and only wants good for them and all the whites around, too. While Kurtz is blowing off everyone- almost shooting the ones who care about him- to obtain material possessions and wealth, the Russian is blindly following him, with the end result of obtaining friendship and approval. While Kurtz is blinded by greed, the Russian suffers from blindness of the heart, blinded by innocence and fellowship. Even after all of the horrid acts Kurtz has done, the Russian still makes Marlow promise not to disclose some of Kurtz's secrets, fearing Kurtz's reputation might be corrupted. Overall, the Russian brings light to people, a misguided light, but light through enthusiasm and faith, where as the other, Kurtz, is perceived as a shadow, tainting the land and people around him, with greed and evil.
ReplyDeleteI really like the beginning part of your entry- how you really emphasized his last few minutes on earth- how his whole life flashes before his eyes. He first arrived in the Congo a young, recently engaged man ready to take on the world. Greed and eventually madness overtook him. He is truly horrified of what is yet to come. Just as in the Tempest, how we learned to let go and move on, Heart of Darkness could be prompting us to look inward at our own lives and see if our own hearts are as pure as...for example the russians.
DeleteTo add to the light and dark imagery of the light-bearing Russian and the shadowy Kurtz, Marlow, when talking and standing with the Russian, states, "All this was in the gloom, while we down there were yet in the sunshine, and the stretch of river abreast of the clearing glittered in a still and dazzling splendor, with a murky and overshadowed bend above and below." From this statement, we see how the Russian is bringing a small radius of light and life to the things and people around him. However, even with his innocent and lively personality, the Russian cannot undo the dark world that Kurtz has come in and created through corruption. The shadow of the land still looms over everyone, no matter how hard the Russian or anyone else tries.
ReplyDeleteI really like this comparison. I didn't even think of the significance in color between these people. The Russian is very light and "simple," which completely goes against everything Kurtz represents.
DeleteI like your statement about light and dark, but I think that land didn't corrupted Kurtz. Kurtz was already corrupted on the inside, his inner self was already full of greed, but he didn't realize it until he journeyed South. According to Foster, when one goes south, they go mad because the interact with their true selves. That is what exactly what happens to Kurtz. He went south, and the forest, who had nothing to offer to him but silence and loneliness, cause his "true self" to confront the former. In his sickness he battled his core, but lost, and thus became hollow. The Russian, who at the core is pure and innocent, and filled with the sense of adventure, thus isn't affect by the spell of the forest. I could be wrong, but that is my theory for now.
DeleteI love how you mentioned how the Russian's ability is unable to be truly effective due to how deep Kurtz has become embroiled within "savage" civilization.
DeleteI love the way you described the foil between Marlow and Kurtz Jules. I guess i never really thought about the thing where you talked about one gaining knowledge as the other feel from grace. Also you mentioned the scene where Kurtz asked Marlow to shut the window, and how that probably represented how Kurtz understood all of the wrong things he did. I guess this scene could be taken in a different light. The forest outside of the window could have been taunting him, saying that you were not able conquer me. In this sense, he gets a feeling of his failure or inadequacy.
ReplyDeleteGoing off of what you said at the beginning Jules, I never really thought about the exact moment when Marlow saw Kurtz as human- but I think yo u are spot on! People talked him up as a deity, some god that was to good for mortality....yet we see him crawling on all fours as an weak sick animal in this scene. From this scene, Marlow finally finds answers to his questions- realizing what true damage greed does to one's soul.
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ReplyDeleteWith Kurtz's famous last words, I feel that by saying "The Horror! The Horror!" Kurtz was referring to himself. When one is close to death, isn't this the time when people reflect on their lives and what they did during it? "The wastes of his weary brain were haunted by shadowy images." (Conrad 142) That small flicker of humanity Kurtz had left looked back on his actions and realized how far down he had gone "...like a man who is lying at the bottom of a precipice where the sun never shines." (Conrad 141) At this point Kurt understands that he can't change who he has become or the aftermath of his actions. "It was as though a veil had been rent." (Conrad 144) He is shocked of what he has become and the emotions flow through him in his final moments. "I saw on that ivory face the expression of sombre pride, of ruthless power, of craven terror-- of an intense and hopeless despair." (Conrad 144) By having Kurtz state those final words of horror, Conrad demonstrates that, in the end, everyone must come to terms with who they were in this life even if it consumed them so much to the point of death as it did with Kurtz.
ReplyDeleteWhat's real? I don't think it was until his death that Kurtz became more than just a voice. I saw his death as a way to make him real, because we all die. His death made me relate more to him as a person rather than the god-like figure. His statement, "I am lying here in the dark waiting for death", made me realize that he was going to die as we all will, because he really is just a mere mortal, not a god or higher being.
What's unreal? The most unreal aspects on Kurtz was the devotion other people had to him, as if he was a god. It was so incredible to read about Marlow, the Russian, the natives, and the woman's feelings and actions towards Kurtz. "...I before him did not know whether I stood on the ground or floated in the air." (Conrad 139) People are in awe of Kurtz and follow him without a second thought, because he is seen more than just a man. He was able to "enlarge the mind". Nature was a part of him at times. "..the heavy, mute spell of the wilderness--that seemed to draw him to its pitiless breast by the awakening of forgotten and brutal instincts, by the memory of gratified and monstrous passions." (Conrad 139) The receptiveness of Kurtz by other seemed like an illusion as did he himself.
I really liked how you talked about Kurtz self examining himself and who he was during his journey into the Congo! He could very well be talking about his experience and how looking back he hated the man who he became.
DeleteKurtz appears to us as a man on his deathbed and solidifies some of Marlow's previous assumptions and contradicts others. Kurtz is seen as a foil to the Russian in more ways than one. For example, "It was inconceivable how he had existed, how he had succeeded in getting so far, how he had managed to remain -- why he did not instantly disappear." Marlow sees the Russian (assumed to be a brightly and HEALTHY fellow from the bright and lively imagery that is associated with him) as the one whose survivability is to be questioned here in the jungle. Yet, Kurtz, the being who is always sick, is expected to survive so that he [Marlow] might meet him.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, up until the moment we meet Kurtz, he has always been revered by people (even if they disliked him, they couldn't deny his ivory contributions) and with descriptions such as "And he had written it, too. I've seen it. I've read it. It was eloquent, vibrating with eloquence" create this convoluted image of the perfect "Renaissance man". However, upon the meeting, Kurtz is shown to be more insane than a cultural and influential icon and his state of being (skeletal and dying) reflects the actuality of his personality. He is not an imposing man and his name (Kurtz short...his 7 ft frame) and skeletal figure reflect the inaccuracy of descriptions set forth by others. Kurtz has literally become a skeleton of the society that he left behind to join another, and he is ostracized/condemned by those members for his defection. This relates to his saying "the horror..." because to me, it seemed as if Kurtz (lying dying) was having the typical "movie-scenario" vignettes and he was sensing regret at some of his actions that lead to his current condition (refusal to leave the jungle due to the manipulation by his mistress) and he is exclaiming out loud his regrets.
Jennifer,
DeleteI like how you said he "became a skeleton of the society that he left behind". That is so true. The other men didn't like him only because he was more successful, but also because he was a stranger to them and had become attached to this foreign land in a very personal way.
I like how you discusses Kurtz being insane rather than iconic. To me, this is kind of like "the man behind the curtain" in the Wizard of Oz. No one ever sees him, yet he is so powerful and mighty. However, once you see him, he is just a man or a skeleton, as you put it.
DeleteThe Russian and Kurtz could be seen as one type of foil within the novella. When Marlow first meets the Russian, he can practically feel the warmth emanating from him: "A beardless, boyish face, very fair, no feature to speak of, nose peeling, little blue eyes, smiles and frowns chasing each other over that open countenance like sunshine and shadow on a wind-swept plain" (Conrad 48). While Kurtz has been depicted as a savage and greedy man: "I saw him open his mouth wide - it gave him a weirdly voracious aspect, as though he had wanted to swallow all the air, all the earth, all the men before him" (Conrad 55). There is also the physical difference that is presented between the two. For one, the Russian is youthful and full of adventure: "The glamour of youth enveloped his parti-colored rags, his destitution, his loneliness, the essential desolation of his futile wanderings" (Conrad 50). Then there is Kurtz who looks as if the slightest breeze could bring him to his demise: "His covering has fallen off, and his body emerged from it pitiful and appalling as from a winding sheet" (Conrad 55). Another quality that is quiet different between the two is their relationship with power. The Russian is a "boy" who seems to worship Kurtz; he even works as a missionary to get people to idolize Kurtz as he does. While Kurtz is a power-hungry, savage. His desire to rule and plunder never ceases. As for Kurtz's famous last lines, I see them more as anguish over a job unfinished. There are many scenes that can be interpreted in different ways regarding Kurtz's inner turmoil. The forest can be seen as a beacon that illuminated the wrong-doings that Kurtz has done, or it can act as the symbol for Kurtz's failure: "I saw on that ivory face the expression of somber pride, or ruthless power, or craven terror - of an intense and hopeless despair" (Conrad 64). Throughout the novella Kurtz has been described as being the definition to the word evil. Ever since Marlow came into contact with Kurtz, he has displayed the exact characterizations that Marlow has heard about throughout the trip. Even at the end, Marlow could see the greed clearly on his face. Kurtz is not a man to give up easily, and this anguish within him came from his failure to complete the "job."
ReplyDeleteHey Luvi, wow you saw a lot more of the foil between the Russian and Kurtz than I did. Do you see this as a bigger foil than Marlow and Kurtz? Also do you not see Kurtz as having any remorse? Or do you think he simply does not want to give up his ivory?
DeleteThe divide between Kurtz and the Russian is a dichotomy between a submerged, heavy soul and a lighter spirit.
ReplyDeleteThe Russian is naive about the nature of the truth as a disciple of Kurtz; he chooses to frame Kurtz as an idol and never encroaches upon the morals of his darkness. “He looked like a harlequin” (Conrad 48). He looked like a mute fool. The Russian fails to speak and acknowledge the terror around him and instead chooses to remain blinded by the light of civilization—the darkness of Kurtz. Indeed there are other ways that he contrasts Kurtz. His dress, personality, and vivacity all contradict the terrors and grotesque manifestations of greed around him. But more importantly, he is a human—probably the only human left—trapped in a place where corruption reigns free. Only he chooses not to realize or confront the tainted land, and that’s what keeps his being intact.
Kurtz was engulfed in the truth from the beginning; his soul had already been swallowed by darkness, and he became a hollow figure that was cursed to let it feed off of him. He is never a fool about his actions; scarily enough, he knows the life that he has chosen. He knows that he can’t rid himself of the jungle and his demise; he literally crawls back to it—submits to it—as a praying man would grovel at the feet of a deity. He knows that the jungle has overtaken and is supreme to him and that ultimately, he can never go back to a life of normalcy; he has become a wrecked phenomenon. “I saw the inconceivable mystery of a soul that knew no restraint…yet struggling blindly with itself”(Conrad 61). At some point, Kurtz’s soul wavered between what can be inferred as “right” or “wrong”—the idea of a return to humanity. But ultimately in the struggle, darkness wins, and the reader knows that the journey to normalcy is one Kurtz cannot make.
“The horror” is an interesting idea on its own. It represents the most horrible release from life a human could have—for Kurtz, a realization that his life was as hollow and empty, eaten by sin. On his deathbed, Kurtz finally comes to terms with himself and the fact that he cannot be forgiven; the grandeur with which he has tainted the earth and its people is permanent. And even then, he cannot emphasize with his victims; he doesn’t even have the time to regret or process his actions and can only let them bury him alive. “The horror” represents Kurtz’s past and present undoubtedly, what he did and what he has become. But it also represents his evident future as a man who will die without substance—a meaningful life purpose. And in his final moments when a bit of humanity has revealed itself to him, it’s too late. Kurtz has no chance to repent.
Hi, Cynthia!
DeleteYour first sentence was really intriguing to me. My thoughts automatically jumped to Ariel and Caliban! While Kurtz is technically a "civilized" European, do you think he could also be described as a savage victim crippled by his own corruption? Would you say that the Russian, who seems unaffected by the darkness, is like the cheerful Ariel?
-Leigh
Jules, I loved how you brought up Marlow's enlightening through this moment. As we can tell, Marlow still holds some respect for Kurtz as he's telling his story, and I feel like the fact that he managed to see Kurtz as a person or even just a corrupted soul really plays an important part in that. I'd even venture to say that out of anyone Kurtz is acquainted with, even his intended, Marlow seems to know him best.
ReplyDeleteOne of the more interesting characters in The Heart of Darkness is the Russian, who has been stuck in the wilderness for nearly than two years alone until he meet Kurtz, the mysterious man that the novel centers on who also remain in the wilderness for an extended period of time. Both men, thus, experienced the loneliness of the Congo, but reacted differently. Marlow recognizes that the Russian’s will of exploring and pushing forward through all obstacles protected him from the wilderness’s spell. “The glamour of youth enveloped [the Russian’s] rags, his destitution, his loneliness….glamour urged him on, glamour kept him unscathed” (119). Marlowe stated that he possessed a “modest and clear flame,” a spirit of adventure, which Marlow also possess and may be the reason why he as well have a clear mind as he entered the Heart of Darkness. Kurtz may have started with this attitude; however, his true nature of greed, hidden inside him since his early years of accomplishment, started to come out once he went south, since, according to Foster, means meeting with his true self. “..The wilderness…had taken a terrible vengeance for the fantastic invasion…it had whispered to him things that he did not know….the whisper had proved irresistibly fascinating. It echoed loudly within him because he was hollow to the core” (123). Conrad uses the foils’ descriptions to note the influences of the Congo. The Russian, according to Marlow, “looked like a harlequin, with bright patches blue, red, and yellow- patches on the back, patches on the front…” (114). Marlow also noted that he had “a beardless, boyish face, very fair, with no features to speak of, none peeling, [with] little blue eyes…” (114). This contrast Kurtz, who often appears as a “phantom,” and has a skeleton like body so pitiful that Marlow could see his rib cage from afar, along with his bones in his body (176). He had “the eyes… shining darkly far in its bony head that nodded with grotesque jerks” (175). His face was the “image of death carved out of old ivory” (176). The blue eyes of Russian resemble his innocence and his patch clothes resemble his optimism against a cruel place where everything is black or white, while the image of a Kurtz’s ivory skull symbolizes the corruption of his greed and his the idea of Kurtz being a shadow shows how his former self gave up. The Russian longs for companionship; “[the Russian] seemed to be trying to make up for lots of silence” (115). However, Kurtz wishes to be alone, and believes that others are interfering with his plans (128). He is so consumed in his greed that he is willingly to shoot his “last disciple,” the Russian, if he didn’t hand over his share of ivory (121). The Russian did, and continue to devout himself to look over Kurtz’s wellbeing, which shows the loyalty and self-sacrifice to people that Kurtz’s lack.
ReplyDeleteThat was a thorough description of the foil between Kurtz and the Russian. The part that interested me the most was the characterization of Kurtz being a powerful man and the Russian being called a boy. Why do you think the Russian is characterized as a boy? Does that fit the character he really should be?
DeleteKurtz is also a foil to the people to the natives. He appears to them as a god and “preside at certain midnight dances ending with unspeakable rites… that were offered up to him” (111). He was so influential that he made the chiefs of the surrounding villages crawl towards him, making him superior over their once noble status (124). He also had a Zeus complex, with the description of “the thunderbolts of the pitiless Jupiter.” Like Zeus, he may have brought “light” (or “civilization”) to the natives, but make once false move against him and he will unleash his fury; he cut off the heads of rebellions and place them on stakes. “…Black, dried, sunken, with the closed eyelids- a head that seemed to sleep at the top of that pole” (123).The natives, however, seemed to be helpless creatures against this “god.” “They had not the fierce character boding of immediate hostile intention…They had given me an irresistible impression of sorrow” (101). However, they seem to possess a strength that Kurtz lacks. His mistress, who has lived in the wilderness all her life, resembles Athena with her helmet shaped head and carries her head high, while Kurtz, who was exposed to the Congo for a short time, can only move by crawling.
ReplyDeleteKurtz’s last words “the horror, the horror” appeal to me in a peculiar way. For some odd reason, the Congo, with its silence, its secrets, its sense of forbidden to the “civilized” world, reminds me of the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden resides in a prehistoric Earth, just like the Congo, and is known as the place where man committed his downfall. Eerily, this downfall was caused by man’s greed, not only for his thirst of knowledge, but his willingness to sacrifice himself to become a god. Kurtz, similarly, not only was consumed by his greed (instead of an apple, but ivory) and not only had the wilderness “whispered” to him, but also roamed around pretending to be one of the immortals, overseeing the Congolese and making him their god by ordering them around. “’They would not stir till Mr. Kurtz gave the word’” (124). However, it was this greed of achieving “immortality” that caused man their downfall from grace; Kurtz received the same downfall, but since fell further since he also burdens the fall from Adam and Eve’s decision. Then, what are the secrets that the forest whispered to him, that caused not only his fall, but Adam and Eve’s? (this is really a stretch here) Perhaps it was the knowledge of the true identity of oneself, or one’s soul, a concept that our minds are not ready and not able to grasp, and because it couldn’t handle the knowledge, it received deadly consequences. “Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself, and, by the heavens! I tell you, it had gone mad.” (135). Or perhaps it will remain a mystery, a whisper, within the primitive Earth itself.
At this point, Kurtz is no longer human, but a creature, a shadow, an "it." He recognizes not only his downfall with the words "the horror," but what lead him there: his flaws. Maybe those words are the echo of his former self, crying over the lost of a battle, like the savages.
DeleteEven though he only speaks a few times, Kurtz interests me the most as a character in this book. He is able to reveal so much about himself—from the past and the present—in a small period. I was extremely thankful to finally hear Kurtz speak, but initially I had a hard time really comprehending what was going on. This whole time we read everyone's perspectives and opinions of Kurtz, but now that he actually has something to say I had to make sure I was really paying attention to each line. I appreciate that fact that he seems like such a normal person (corrupt, but normal nonetheless). Despite the fact that most of his actions are pursued with mal intent, Kurtz makes plans, sets standards, and has fears just like any other person. On an even simpler level, the fact that Marlow is physically able to pick him up and hold him in his arms illustrates the physical existence of Kurtz's character. When Kurtz is dying, he appears to be at his most realistic point. The fact that he is able to somewhat flashback on his past and also realize how close he is to death makes him seem real. Still, Kurtz continues to be presented as unreal in certain aspects, such as his "gratified and monstrous passions" and his lofty aspirations. He takes qualities as basic as talking, a common action of a normal person, and makes them seem supernatural or dream-like by appearing as a "voice."
ReplyDeleteKurtz's last words may signify his realization of his past errors in conjunction with what he sees as he is going toward death. Though this seems a bit morbid, I feel like it is quite a possibility. Jena mentioned Kurtz recognizes that he is going to Hell, and I agree. Marlow mentions that Kurtz is still an intellectual man, even if he is corrupt now; therefore, Kurtz is able to recognize that what he has done is destructive and wrong. Whether or not he personally finds his previous actions to be harmful or sinful, he is smart enough to recognize that he will be reprimanded for harming the lives of innocent people.
To me, Kurtz seems like a foil to the Russian in the sense that he is extremely complex, while the Russian says multiple times, "I am a simple man." The Russian believes Kurtz is this almighty man whose power is extremely commendable. Kurtz is practically everything opposite to what the Russian is. For instance, the Russian, unlike Kurtz, is submissive and youthful. Kurtz, on the other hand, is a strong leader and shows strength and maturity (even if for the wrong reasons).
Miranda, I like how you noted that Kurtz is a complex man; he seems to be riddle with dichotomies. He has a strong voice that swayed the Russian to his side even after he tried to kill him and made chiefs bow down to him, but yet he can't walk without aid. He commands himself to be a god and has an intellect mind, but yet is hollow at the core.
DeleteHiya there Miranda,
DeleteI like your characterization of Kurtz in your first paragraph. His eminent death has definitely brought him back "down to earth" and made him face his actions. While he most probably fears his death and his oncoming punishment, I do not think that he regrets what he did. Most likely he is ashamed of being so weak and susceptible to the effects of greed. He probably realizes that he is not the god he thought he was, but in that in reality he has no inner strength. This is ironic because the Russian has more will-power than Kurtz, yet he reveres him and calls himself a simple man...
I like the way you characterized Kurtz mystery and enigmatic nature. He really is a man shrouded in mystery. Do you think it's possible that the reason he is so complex is because of the few descriptions and suggestive words we do hear?
DeleteI think that Kurtz experience in the Congo created a monster in a sense. As the Russian is describing and telling Marlow who Kurtz is and all the things that he has done, Marlow starts to get a grasp on Kurtz and his character. Kurtz is "unreal" in the sense that he turns inhumane and shows signs of mental problems by the way that he treats the Congolese people. Kurtz kills the congolese people and hangs only their heads on sticks around his tent, he attacks Marlow's boat as a warning because he feared that Marlow would try to take over the operation that he had created, and he also wrote a paphlet basically describing his superiority over the natives and that he should be treated as a God. Kurtz thought of himself as somone who was better than others and because of that he turned himself into a monster. Thinking about the horrible crimes that he commited makes me sick to my stomach as it should any normal healthy human. The person that he was in the Congo seemed too horrible to be true. However, as we see Kurtz falling to illness we see the "real" aspect of him. The fact that Kurtz could not stay healthy and be strong to rule over the Congolese people shows that the evil crimes were getting the best of him. Kurtz was dragged away from the Congo because of his illnesses and his weak body. He could not stay healthy so that shows his human side not being able to commit those horrid crimes. Therefore, I believe at the end of his life as he says, "The horror, the horror!" Kurtz is looking back on his journey in the Congo and wishing that he could be back there. I don't think that Kurtz regrets in anyway the acts that he committed. Kurtz had gone completely mad and all he could think or care about was his money and ivory. He did not care about a single human soul.
ReplyDeleteHey Caroline, I agree with what you are saying about alot of your points. Maybe just because I like to see to the good in people, I just think in the end of his life he looks back and realizes how mad he was. I feel like even though he is clearly mad, maybe in his last moments he sees clearly. What do you think about a last moment break through for Kurtz? Or is it just not possible for him to break through the madness?
DeleteI am going to start with Ms. York's last question, because that one perplexed me the most. I re-read the passage a couple times before I formed my opinion. This final moment in Kurtz life is a true testament to the fact that money and power cannot buy you happiness. Even with more money and power and ivory than most men can imagine, he still dies with a void in his heart. I think those last yelps show that he looked back on his life, and was not happy. We all have a picture of what we want to accomplish before we die. He is just like us in that way. So when he looked back in his final moments of life, he realized that he did not do anything that truly mattered. His last moments of life would be spent unhappily. I think this quote really sums up my opinion,"Kurtz discoursed. A voice! a voice! It rang deep to the very last. It survived his strength to hide in the magnificent folds of eloquence the barren darkness of his heart. Oh, he struggled! he struggled! The wastes of his weary brain were haunted by shadowy images now – images of wealth and fame revolving obsequiously round his unextinguishable gift of noble and lofty expression. My Intended, my station, my career, my ideas – these were the subjects for the occasional utterances of elevated sentiments"(Conrad). I believe Kurtz is extremely fearful of his fate, ivory will not carry him on in the afterlife. He finally realizes the extreme greed in human nature, and every man's insatiable hunger for power. Also I think the strongest foil is between Marlow and Kurtz. As a reader, I think if I did not already know that Marlow made it out of Africa, I would assume that he would turn into Kurtz. Some of the major differences are that we clearly see Kurtz as mad (the hanging heads was a hint to me) and Marlow still maintains some sanity. Also Marlow still has some respect towards the natives as companions to work along side, even though he does this think the native should adopt the European ways. Kurtz is a god to the natives, and he clearly sees himself as far superior to the natives.They reflect the savagery in each other, and both are rather unaffected by death. Both Marlow and Kurtz are lonely, and to me Marlow sees in Kurtz what could happen to him. These 2 characters are the only two in the book who have names, and they stand to show the effects of the wilderness to different degrees. The Russian and Kurtz are also shown to be foils. The Russian is weak and idiotic, while Kurtz is powerful, mighty, and wise. We see the Russians weakness compared to Kurtz when he continues to rave about the power of Kurtz. The Russian also shows how savage Kurtz is which shows the reader how mad Kurtz has really become.
ReplyDeleteHey Maddie, I liked how you mentioned that it felt like Kurtz finally saw the the deep darkness that surrounded all that he did. It adds an element of redemption to Kurtz. However, do you think that perhaps, he could have regretted not being able to get more ivory instead regretting getting so much of it and becoming obsessed?
DeleteKurtz stands as a foil to many of the characters in Heart of Darkness, but we knew that early on, even when he was simply just "a voice." From the moment he was introduced as being mentally ill it has been apparent that Kurtz is nothing like Marlow. The only similarity between the two is that they are both ambitious for something, however Marlow has a set goal in mind while Kurtz is only riddled with his obsessive tendencies. While Kurtz explains that he "had immense plans," (139) it becomes obvious that he has no idea what he wants to do with his ivory and wealth. Like Walter, he must continue to gain more money at all costs, only to store it in a safe place and stripping it of its purpose.
ReplyDeleteMarlow, on the other hand, is ambitious with a visible purpose. His initial desire is to explore the unknown, but it eventually evolves into becoming wiser in the general sense through Kurtz's potential teachings. Marlow calls this "the voice" because it is untouchable even after meeting Kurtz. Kurtz seems unreal to Marlow because this entire time he has been anticipating meeting a wise man, but in reality Marlow is nothing but disgusted by Kurtz and sees him as holding little worth in his journey. At the same time, Kurtz becomes much more real to Marlow because, even though Kurtz has fooled the natives, Marlow does not see him as a god but as the faulty human that he is. While Marlow can no longer rely on "the voice," he now sees Kurtz as an imperfect man just like everybody else.
One extreme difference that exists in this novella is between Kurtz and his faithful Russian follower. Naive and full of life, the Russian has not lost his basic love for adventure and exploration. Not only that, but he has kept his hold on morality and basic human nature. While Kurtz has lost his sights on humanity and strives for nothing but basic riches, the Russian seeks to learn and move forward. He despises the effects of ivory on Kurtz and tries to show Kurtz of the ways in which he is harming himself. The Russian's innocence is so strong that he cannot be corrupted by the darkness of the jungle. Kurtz, however, has succumbed to the power of greed and is far beyond being saved by the innocent youth.
"The horror" to which Kurtz speaks of can be interpreted in many ways. I believe that, in his eyes, the horror lies in not being able to benefit from all the riches that he has accumulated. Kurtz has been living his life with the hopes that one day he will be able to use his ivory to improve his life. Like an addiction, the Congo has held him captive for so long that he has not been able to fulfill this goal because he is afraid of leaving all the possible riches to come. Due to this, Kurtz's dying moment is filled with all the things that he didn't accomplish. I think that Kurtz has realized that his entire time and energy spent in the Congo has been for naught, and that he must die an unaccomplished man.
In HOD, we first meet the eclectic Russian who radiates energy and loud colors, and later on come in contact with Kurtz, the dark creature of greed who comes in direct contrast with the Russian. The Russian is also spoken of as weak whereas Kurtz is one of the most powerful men in the Congo and the leader of the inner station. While Kurtz comes across as short and even demeaning, the Russian is outspoken and friendly. I feel that these foils are set in the novella in order to portray two sides of humanity, or two different attitudes set in a similar situation. By these foils, we see the difference in character and heart in these two distinct characters.
ReplyDeleteKurtz's famous words, "the horror, the horror!" seem to convey the sense of the repentant dying man. It seems obvious that Kurtz in his last minutes of his dark life finally sees the light shone on his actions, most likely due to the fear of what comes next. As he faces death and his ivory and wealth must go, he has no choice but to examine the horrors he committed and the atrocity that awaits him. However, as he could be directing the words, "the horror" towards anything, it may very well be true that he is not regretful of his actions at all and is simply devastated at the horrific loss of his wealth. From behind the curtain of death, Marlow hears Kurtz yelling "save me!- save the ivory, you mean." and "I'll carry my ideas out yet- I will return", which suggests that even as he is dying he wishes to carry out his plan of greed (Conrad 169).
In light of the way Kurtz has been depicted, it would seem reasonable to believe he does not feel regret for his actions even at his last hour; but part of me wants to believe that his heart isn't completely dark, and there is some light of remorse flickering as he dies.
It was interesting to see how you mentioned that Kurtz was both fearful about his future, yet he still could not let go of his greed even until the end of his life.
Delete-Ha Young Kim
I love how you mentioned that Marlow's journey of delusions concerning Kurtz and his identity has been brought to an end. Marlow accepts the death of Kurtz quite differently then he had accepted it originally after the attack. It really highlights the altering capabilities that the darkness had upon the overall growth of Marlow.
ReplyDeleteKurtz is a character whose personality and actions are quite real, yet his physical being is not. Though his actions of exploitation and cruelty are horrendous, they are ultimately very real. These actions display the base natures of man, greed and a fascination with death. Even the phrase itself, “He can’t walk – he’s crawling on all fours…” (Conrad 84) shows how the heart of darkness has brought out the savagery in Kurtz. Here we see him relying on his very real base desires as he stalks his prey in a very animalistic way. Despite Marlow assuring him that his “success in Europe is assured,” (Conrad 85), Kurtz cannot find himself to be separated from his power and wealth, the various temptations of hell. Also proof of these desires is furthered by Kurtz’s attempts to save his wealth rather than himself as we see him confusing himself and his wealth while saying, “Save me! – save the ivory you mean.” (Conrad 79). In contrast to all these very real aspects of Kurtz, he is seen to be unreal in his physical appearance. This man, who is known for his strong presence and voice, turns out to be a weak and feeble ghost, whose voice barely even croaks. Marlow even admits to the fact that Kurtz’s appearance is a lie. Kurtz, which is revealed to mean short in German, serves as the name for a man who looks to be seven feet tall. This statement itself, shows that his physical appearance is seen to be unreal while also implicating that his life has been a dream or a lie. This “fake” presence along with the sharp contrast between Kurtz (who is feeble and cowardly in a sense) and the African woman (who is strong and courageous) demonstrates how Kurtz’s appearance is truly unreal in fact that it was he, who held all the power.
ReplyDeleteWhen the reader is introduced to Kurtz he must sort the rumors about this man – into truth and falsehood. Kurtz, as the rumors suggest, radiates unhealthiness. Although he is “seven feet long” (54), Kurtz is skeletal – and no more than a fragment of a robust human. His body is a shell for his “ideas” and avarice. His sole purpose appears to be his desire for “recognition” (63). He lives for his “station,” his “career,” his “ideas,” (63).
ReplyDeleteWhile Kurtz lives only for himself – and in a manner that does not promote self-satisfaction, but unhappiness – the Russian lives through Kurtz. Marlow suggests that the Russian may be too trusting, too unaware; he describes the man as a “mute fool” (48). He is capricious. His moods constantly change just as his relationship with Kurtz experiences highs and lows. The Russian wears a mask of naiveté, or possibly, a moral vivaciousness that disregards the atrocities Kurtz is committing in order to satisfy his greed for ivory. The manager suggested earlier in the novel that the “healthy” are at an advantage in the Congo. Perhaps the Russian is incapable of the physical and moral sickness that plagues Kurtz.
Kurtz does not, however, seem entirely real. His sickness seems too extreme, his greed overdone; he is, quite intentionally, a caricature of Western “civilizers.” One could question the quickness of his descent into madness and his inability to see the faults in his logic and repressive attitudes, even toward the last moments of his life. When Kurtz says “The horror! The horror!,” convention suggests that these are a dying man’s enlightenment, his “take away” from life’s hardships. He does live in that moment every “desire, temptation, and surrender” (64). Kurtz is drawn away from his being into the perspectives of those whose lives he has destroyed. In these moments all is visible to him. He is able to see even in the damp fog of the Congo.
Hello~
DeleteI like how you mention that the Russian is living through Kurtz, and yet is untouched by the darkness. Do you think that perhaps his idolization of Kurtz prevents him from seeing the darkness encompassing Kurtz? And you mention how "convention suggests" that they are his (Kurtz's) last words of enlightenment, but do you think they are? I cannot help but wonder if his attachment to darkness prevents him from seeing anything but ivory, suggesting that he's horrified that he could not get more of it and promote his cause due to his mortality.
I too liked how you said that the Russian is living through Kurtz. I also like how you said that Kurtz doesn't seem real because everything is extreme about him. When I read he seems more like a ghost, something not part of reality. Kurtz appearing separate from reality ties into the themes of the book which delve into exploring allusion and reality.
DeleteHi, Mehul!
DeleteI liked how you described Kurtz as a "caricature." Would you say that Kurtz, then, is the conglomeration of all the other corrupt characters in the novel (the station manager, the accountant, etc.)? How do these other characters serve to enhance the caricature?
-Leigh
The sharp contrast between light and dark has been a constant presence throughout the novella. This contrast is also applied to the Russian and Kurtz. The Russian is described as colorful and untouched by the darkness surrounded the heart of the Congo: "[h]e looked like a harlequin, his clothes had been made of some stuff that was brown holland probably, but it was covered with patches all over, with bright patches.." (Conrad 114). Perhaps it is the colorful nature of the Russian that prevents the darkness from penetrating his innocent soul. The Russian is described as a blind fool whose only goal is to seek the approval of his idol, Kurtz. Furthermore, it is possible that it is the Russian's idolatry of Kurtz is what protects him from the temptations surrounding him. The Russian is completely unaware of what Kurtz does; Kurtz would go away for days and the Russian would idly stand by, awaiting his return. This ignorance could be his shield.
ReplyDeleteTo balance the colorful and slightly vapid nature of the Russian, there is the dark dark, brooding, and cunning nature of Kurtz. He is described as insubstantial and menacing: "the eyes of that apparition shining darkly far in its bony head that nodded with grotesque jerks" (Conrad 125). As this dark phantom uttered his last words ("The horror! The horror!") it can be interpreted various ways. It is possible that Kurtz finally realizes the evil creature that has corrupted his soul; he is facing his sins during his last breaths and is horrified by the atrocities that he has committed. However, this would be underestimating the base nature of humanity: the obsession with power. Perhaps Kurtz was seeing in his last few moments all that he could not do due to his mortality. Perhaps he was terrified that his divine presence would no longer inhabit the Congo, thus preventing more ivory to be harvested.
I agree that the horror the horror can be interpreted several ways. When I first read the section I though that it was a more selfish exclamation, but as I examined further I thought that he has realized the sins against humanity that he has committed. If Kurtz is somewhat of a symbol for the European colonizers, a lot of the countries could have realized their atrocities to late as Kurtz did. In death, or at the end of colonial reign, it is too late to correct the sins of the past.
DeleteSai,
DeleteI like how you compare his innocence and ignorance to being his shield. Also his idolatry of Kurtz protecting him as well because people do not think of people they worship as capable of doing any wrong.
Kurtz's final words to me sound like an epiphany. Marlow puts the candle light in his face and Kurtz is finally able to see the wrong he has done. He has come to the realization that greed consumed him and swallowed him into a permanent darkness. With this epiphany, he is finally able to be released from the world of misery that was bestowed on him because of the horrors he committed. I also think he released his lasting voice in a whisper from the deep darkness of his heart where it was harbored because his final whisper haunts Marlow. Marlow hears it everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI think Kurtz is a foil to the Russian in that they both are outcasts: the Russian ran away from home and travelled alone to Africa and Kurtz outcasts himself in Africa subjecting himself to the inner station. However, the Russian is a colorful man whereas Kurtz emits darkness. The Russian is so bright of a light that the darkness is unable to penetrate him and he is seeing the horrors but is oblivious to them.
It was interesting to see how the whisper could have actually released Kurtz because I just saw it mainly depicting Kurtz's sickly state.
Delete-Ha Young Kim
The Russian creates a direct contrast to Kurtz’s character. He is “enthusiastic” and “fabulous”. When Conrad describes him having the “glamour of youth” he seems to have a certain air of brightness and liveliness around him. He also cares deeply for Kurtz whose cares extend no farther than himself. His extreme characterization is not without cause. The Russian and his brightness make Kurtz seem darker and more wrought with evil than he would have appeared if introduced as a solo character. Kurtz almost seems like dead weight. We, the readers, are granted the opportunity to juxtapose “ parti-colored rags” with a man “carved of old ivory”. With the description of ivory, Kurtz seemed to have a certain void to him, possibly eluding the absence of his humanity. All throughout the novella Conrad hints that the brightness and whiteness do not always mean good a pure and the ivory of Kurtz compounds those foundational ideas since he is a heart of darkness. Kurtz’s to a certain extent seems unreal, a perverse fantasy. “The cage of his ribs [are] all astir.” His skeleton like appearance make him seem like he is already dead, like a ghost, or a spirit of some sort. In his calling out of “The horror! The horror!” Kurtz seems to have fully recognized his own propensity for darkness. On his face he has the look of “craven terror” like he has seen God (“some vision”) and is fearing his punishment and judgment.
ReplyDeleteAll you said about the Russian is true. However, there is also that innate innocence that we have to remember. The Russian has this naive and innocent presence about him where he believes that serving this "god" will help him achieve power and wealth in his own future. However, Kurtz has learnt that humans are essentially dependent on themselves in life. Kurtz's realization of humanity being eternally alone can be seen in his exclamation, "The horror! The horror!". We can interpret this key line in many ways, one of which is where Kurtz realizes the cruelty of his soul and the fact that no one can help him redeem himself, thus proving that he is alone.
DeleteCompared to voiceless Kurtz the Russian is quite a character and quite loud. The Russian is like a jester, described using vibrant colors unlike Kurtz who is often times describe using colors such as black and white. Kurtz all along has seemed unreal, simply a product of the jungle and a hallucinations of Marlow and other workers in the Congo to keep them in check. He is personified by his belongings and rumors spread about him and that becomes his identity to the reader until he speaks for the first time towards the end of the novella. He lives his life as if it is unreal; being immortalized within the ivory. He becomes mortal in his last moments when we see true emotion, horror, displayed.
ReplyDeleteI believe in Kurtz's last moments of life he reaches the highest level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs which is self enlightenment. Kurtz finally realizes how his ambition has led him to this point of darkness-- even madness in his death. He accepts his own fate and the truth around him. Not only that, Kurtz has immortalized himself in ivory. We see this when he says "Save me! -- Save the ivory, you mean. Don't tell me! Save me!" (Conrad,56) and "…death carved out of old ivory…" ( 55, Conrad) when used to describe Kurtz in his death. Now that he is no longer has the capability of gathering ivory, because of the obvious, he no longer has a purpose in life. His life has been focused on gathering ivory and not that he can no longer to that, he doesn't know anything else to do. Just like many of us today find the horror in the harsh realities of our world, Kurtz finds the reality in his last moments.
Kurtz is a man of paradoxes. He is a larger than life presence, a god to the African natives and a legend to the Europeans. He produces ivory in seemingly impossible quantities. In the minds of all who know him (or know of him), he is this almost impenetrable force. However, despite this illusion of being entirely superhuman, he is fundamentally helpless, helpless to the clutches of the continent he has plundered. Physically, he shows his humanity in the way his body succumbs to the disease that has plagued so many other white men in the Congo. While his spiritual presence, his voice, still maintains its strength, his body seems childlike and even skeletal. It is as though the Congo has stripped him of his humanity and ground him down to the bareness of his id. Emotionally, Kurtz is a victim to his own darkness. In the Congo, where he can act with impunity, he allows corruption to take root in his soul and take away the very essence of his civilization. Tempted by the wilderness surrounding him, he has become a savage apparition of man, sustained only by a false divinity of his own designing.
ReplyDeleteKurtz himself believes in the illusion he has created until the moment of his death. At this point, the light finally penetrates the darkness of his heart, and when he sees what he has become, he exclaims, “The horror! The horror!” Just as Marlow’s romantic vision of the Congo has been shattered by his journey into the heart of Africa, so has Kurtz’s own view of himself been exposed in its fraudulency. It is at this point that Kurtz realizes that the light which he sought to bring to the Congo has become nothing more than the roaring fires of midnight sacrifices. Only in death is Kurtz able to escape the illusion of his own life.
As Kurtz came closer and closer to death, he whispered “The horror! The horror!” (Conrad 115). The first thing I noticed about this scene was the fact that Kurtz whispered. Although Kurtz is referenced as a voice throughout most of the novella, his voice is described to be strong and powerful. This is why the word “whisper” lingered in my mind. The main reason for the whisper that came to mind was just the fact that he was sick and nearing death, so he would not have had the energy to speak as he normally did; however, I felt that there were many more reasons that Kurtz would have whispered his final words. Also, I felt that Kurtz’s last words displayed a realization that Kurtz had for his actions. This was not explicitly shown in the book, and this is really what I thought saw. The novella says that “He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision” (Conrad 115), and I saw this as Kurtz looking back at his actions and crimes he committed in the Congo. It took Conrad a long time to realize the negative effects, referenced as the horrors, that he brought to the Congo, but I felt that because he did not realize his mistakes earlier, he really died. Contrasting with Kurtz, I saw Marlow acting as foil to Kurtz as Marlow acted differently than Kurtz. For example, Marlow got sick just like Kurtz did, which can be seen when Marlow that he was “seldom normal in these days” (Conrad 117). This sickness most likely resulted from the jungle environment, but I thought that the loss of morality also led to this illness that Marlow and Kurtz experienced. However, Marlow recovers, unlike Kurtz, because he seems to acknowledge the truth unlike Kurtz, who seems to have acknowledged the truth too late. Just as Marlow acted as a foil to Kurtz, the Russian was also a foil, which was clearly obvious in outer appearance. The Russian was described to look “extremely gay and wonderfully neat” (Conrad 95) while Kurtz was very different from the Russian where Kurtz was described to be like an “atrocious phantom” (Conrad 104). Another foil that I saw was Kurtz and the African woman because the novella described the woman to be strong in appearance but weak in reality, but Kurtz was weak in appearance but strong in reality.
ReplyDeleteHa Young Kim 4th Block
DeleteCompared to Kurtz, the Russian is a air of liveliness and brightness. The Russian has a certain sense of innocence and nativity about him. As soon as Conrad introduces the Russian into the novella we see a sharp contrast between him and Kurtz. Throughout out the story Kurtz is associated with dark connotation. Unlike the Russian, we see Kurtz described with colors such as black and white, in contrast to the Russian who is associated with vibrant colors. I think Conrad created this sharp contrast between the two character to emphasize how the darkness has overtaken Kurtz. Kurtz's last words were "The Horror, The Horror" which I viewed as him finally seeing the hypocrisy in humanity. Kurtz sees the wrong in what he is doing. The Europeans believed that the darkness existed in the Congo, but in reality it was brought over by the Europeans. Their geed and selfish values consumed them. Unfortunately the greed for Ivory consumed Kurtz, and once he realized his wrong he couldn't handle it.
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