The Heart of Darkness: Character Analysis of Kurtz and Ideas about Imperialism

In The Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, Kurtz, an iconic figure, appears to be the archetype for the European Companies and ultimately, imperialism itself. From his elusive appearance to his steadfast greed, he is willing to sacrifice the lives’ of others and his own sanity in order to retrieve what he covets. Similarly, the European Companies send men on voyages through the intimidating darkness which envelopes the Congo River in Africa in hopes of gaining riches. Along with that, Kurtz represents imperialism since he embodies the basic concepts: greed and heartlessness. At one point Marlow remarks about Kurtz, “His mother was half-English, his father was half-French. All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz,” (Conrad 45). During the journey through the threatening river, many of the scavengers gambled with their hearts in order of finding ivory-- what the hunters coincide with success.

            Kurtz is known as the ‘universal genius’ and prodigy that will quickly climb his way to the top of the company. Although Marlow, a middle-age sailor, explorer, and narrator of the story, never formally meets Kurtz, he feels that Kurtz is a complex figure with many layers. In the novel, the harsh treatment of the natives is known as ‘civilization’ and it is viewed as a rational and sensible part of Imperialism. Some view Kurtz as a heroic figure and are perplexed by his immediate success in the field. Others see him as a vicious creature; instead of fairly trading with the natives to obtain ivory, Kurtz takes matters into his own hands by beheading his victims.

In the beginning of the second part of the novel, Marlow overhears a story, “that Kurtz had apparently intended to return himself, the station being by that time bar or food and stores, but after coming three hundred miles, had suddenly decided to go back, which he started to do alone in a small dugout with four paddlers, leaving the half-caste to continues down the river with the ivory” (Conrad 28). Neither Marlow nor anyone else can discover a motive for doing such a thing. Why would one travel such a journey, only to return when one is near the end? Also, Marlow also attributes, “His name (Kurtz), you understand, had not been pronounced once. He was ‘that man’” (Conrad 28). Kurtz, or ‘that man’, is a figure that is so well known that by a simple relative pronoun, many would know who is this person.

Overall, Kurtz represents the idea of European Companies and Imperialism because of his definitive characteristics that allow others perception about him to vary widely; however, eventually Kurtz falls ill due to the stresses he has brought upon himself along with the dangerous environment of the Congo River. From a dramatic up rise to a blissful career to an ultimate downfall, Kurtz’s life mirrors that of the fundamentals of Imperialism.