Heart Of Darkness Kurtz Journey Essay

Kurtz’s lack of restraint and hunger for ivory consumes not only his soul but drains all of his physical existence. Upon seeing him, Marlow states, “I could see the cage of his ribs all astir, the bones of his arm waving (126)”. Conrad focuses on the physical features of Kurtz to display the madness that has consumed him. However, though Kurtz’s body is deteriorating, Kurtz’s mind continues to thrive. Conrad shows this in Marlow’s shock of witnessing a flame of passion that remains in Kurtz’s eyes as he converses without signs of exhaustion (126). Conrad continues to describe Kurtz as a shadow composed of tranquility and satisfaction. Conrad’s incorporation of this detail signifies the evil and greed that consumes Kurtz and is reflected through his physique. However, the power of Kurtz’s presence is personified through the action of his words. As the strength in his voice captures Marlow’s attention, it merely reflects his influence upon his followers. The power reflected through his voice displayed his confidence as well as his position as a leader for the natives. Hi demeanor displays an air of arrogance that makes others feel less equal to him. Those who follow him fear him, but also continue to respect him.

Darkness is a major theme in The Heart of Darkness. Kurtz is unaware of his own darkness which leads to his downfall. He cannot see what kind of person he has become and how the darkness of the jungle has completely taken over him. The jungle is so secluded and mysterious that it actually influences Kurtz’s bad behavior. Kurtz becomes greedy and powerful but never realizes that this behavior is bringing him down until he is on the verge of death. Kurtz last words, “The horror! The horror!”(63) show Kurtz’s realization that the darkness had consumed him. Kurtz himself is one of the biggest examples of darkness in this book.

One can argue that where one goes and what he does is not always controlled; rather it is part of a preplanned destiny given to him by some otherworldly force. In The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, Mr. Kurtz is a man who is seduced by the natural world to follow the primitive desires of evil. Marlow’s description of nature reveals it as the force that controls Mr. Kurtz and leads him on his path to evil.

In Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness, the author uses the character Kurtz for the purpose of illustrating the inhumane motives associated with imperialism. Although Kurtz convinces the company that he has admirable intentions of "humanizing, improving, [and] instructing" (Conrad 1074), he develops a thirst for power that leads him to his belief that it is necessary to "exterminate all brutes" (Conrad 1056). Kurtz is representative of Europe during times of colonialization which is shown through his superior, demanding behavior.

Throughout the novel, darkness on the outside represents the darkness hidden inside. As the manager points into the darkness of the jungle, Marlow is physically shaken because this white man is without a hand. This eye-opening moment tells Marlow that the same darkness that encloses the jungle, also encloses man's heart (Conrad 29). Everyone is so focused on the idea of power that ivory gives them, that they will undermine anyone to succeed. In another circumstance, Kurtz is symbolized as an animal to describe how the environment can ensnare man's conscience. When Marlow finally meets Kurtz, he sees the physical deterioration the jungle has done to him. Them after talking with him, Marlow realizes Kurtz is "hollow at the core" (Conrad 53). This means that Kurtz no longer has a conscience. Likewise to an animal, once Kurtz is taken out of his 'natural habitat' of the jungle, he enervates and becomes sick to the point of death. Both darkness and Kurtz's portrayal as an animal directly correlates with the toll that the environment takes on man's

As the acclaimed philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche writes on the topic of morality, “[you] have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” Such a quote largely embodies the psychological premise found within the folds of Heart of Darkness. Partly set on the Thames, this novel outlines one man’s experience on the Congo, and both his physical and mental journey in search of an infamous man known only by the title Kurtz. Both Marlow and Kurtz experience a drastic mental metamorphosis of their moral values during this tale, of which is constantly being metaphorically represented through external influences and occurrences. Both men supposedly exemplify certain cultural expectations and altruistic

Kurtz makes friendships with the natives, and exploits them (brutal raids) for ivory. The sad part about this Kurtz scheme is so far and complex the natives are being robbed blind. (The natives look at Kurtz as a god and helpful for the community from the image he pained for them). Also, Kurtz has lost his immorality(morals) from this and other actions (one of the reasons they call it hear of darkness). However, Marlow see’s these actions as inhumane and wicked, but Kurtz looks at this as necessary for success. According to SparkNotes, Joseph Conrad said “This is the natural result when men are allowed to operate outside a social system of checks and balances: power, especially power over other human beings, inevitably corrupts”. It was said in the story that Kurtz was working his way up to the top with connections all over the world, I personally think power would corrupt an induvial. The result of Kurtz tapping into this ended into a sickness and his last words were “The horror, the

They, above—the Council in Europe, you know—mean him to be” (29). Throughout the entire trip people keep praising Kurtz (except the general manager) and this prepares Marlow for a very impressionable first impression. Marlow keeps thinking about Kurtz as this ideal man in the dark jungle. This of course is all shattered when Marlow meets him. Marlow, having hoped to meet someone who would not have been corrupted by the exposure of the jungle, meets Kurtz near death. This is moment of meeting is crucial for Marlow because it is turning point for his ideals. They meet the harsh truth that even the most idealistic, charismatic ones can be corrupted. Marlow loses his faith in his home and everything they represent because when he goes back, Marlow refuses to speak with people. He walks around disenchanted by the propaganda that Europe spews about Africa; and he is embittered that the people back home can not see through it. This shows how experiences shape who you become and how you identify in the world because that is the difference between Marlow and the common person back home: Marlow experience the Congo firsthand and therefore will always identify with those events.

Heart of Darkness, written by James Conrad, is one of the most significant novellas of the early 1900’s literature. It is written in frame narration, with the main perspective being Charlie Marlow, the philosophic sailor, as he tells his friends the story of his voyage to Congo and how he came to meet the infamous ivory dealer; Kurtz. Throughout the novella, Kurtz is presented to us by second-hand information. All sources Marlow comes across discusses his grandiose and exceptional intelligence, however, they also seem to fear him and his power. It is interesting to explore the effect created as we compare the information we obtain of Kurtz from others who have met or heard him, to that of when we finally meet him for ourselves

Especially the company that he works for. The moral ambiguity and struggle that Marlow has is impacted and changed by Kurtz's point of view. But in the time of choosing Marlow has to chose between the company our Kurtz. Kurtz goes to the heart of africa to bring the european light and be adventurous. But the moral compass our lack of it shows that Europe and the well the rest of the world has no moral compass to begin with. The lies that Europe has brung to the African continent has clouded and hurt the trust of the native people as a

Kurtz embodies the lust for wealth and possession, and a desire to dominate other all for colonialism in the name of educating and civilizing the popular. Justified under the cover of bringing a bright light into the savages lives but the irony is that he is overshadowed by the darkness of his own heart. Kurts had succumbed to the darkness and Marlow emphasizes the insanity that overwhelms him.

An enigma for almost the entirety of The Heart of Darkness, Kurtz is ambitious, cunning, and shrewd. Despite being talked of by many, it is not until almost the close of the story that Marlow finally meets Kurtz. Marlow learns that while he is all of what was spoken of, Kurtz has become a powerful deity in the eyes of the natives and twisted by temptation. His view of the world is something akin to a cartoon villain, bent on world domination, charming, and persuasive he climbs effortlessly to the top. At first glance, it may seem as though Kurtz has bent the darkness to his will, but rather it is the darkness who has made a pawn of him. In the end, Kurtz is the true heart of darkness, ever the opportunist, he enslaves a neighboring tribe to protect

Joseph Conrad’s poetic, psychological thriller, “Heart of Darkness” presents a mysterious, enigmatic man who has an unfathomable amount of power and influence on the people around him. But during his relentless pursuit in his ideals, Kernel Kurtz has been pushed to the brink of insanity. This was the result of the uncalmable storm that was brewing inside Kurtz when he is presented a choice for his future. One part of Kurtz wants to carry out his metaphoric ideas and stay in the foreign lands of Africa, being a leader that everyone praises. The other part wants to return to Europe and run as far away as possible. This resulted in Kurtz being trapped and held captive to his own mind, exemplified by Kurtz being physically stuck in the jungle and refusing to leave because of his dilemma. Additionally, there is a reason why the savages are enforcing Kurtz’s stay – they are his prison guards. From the perspective of Jung, Kurtz has illuminated his unconscious darkness and incorporated it into the self, from this enlightenment Kurtz has liberated himself from the rest of the ivory traders - leading a post that “Sends in as much ivory as all the others put together” (Conrad 24); as a result, a new shadow stirs within Kurtz. In Jungian psychology the goal for any individual is to realize one’s true meaning of life, incorporating all one’s life

An enigma for almost the entirety of The Heart of Darkness, Kurtz is ambitious, cunning, and shrewd. Despite being talked of by many, it is not until almost the close of the story that Marlow finally meets Kurtz. Marlow learns that while he is all of what was spoken of, Kurtz has become a powerful deity in the eyes of the natives and twisted by temptation. His view of the world is something akin to a cartoon villain, bent on world domination, charming, and persuasive he climbs effortlessly to the top. At first glance, it may seem as though Kurtz has bent the darkness to his will, but rather it is the darkness who has made a pawn of him. In the end, Kurtz is the true heart of darkness, ever the opportunist, he enslaves a neighboring tribe to protect his

In the novel Heart of Darkness, the characters who spend time in the heart of the jungle in the Congo, seem to change as time passes by. One of the men who is most dramatically affected from this change is Mr. Kurtz. This relates to what Pauline Hopkins once said in Contending Forces, “ And, after all, our surroundings influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny or any supernatural agency.” Mr. Kurtz goes from a man with a loving fiance and great attributes to man with no morals and the need for power.