Describing The Unknown

For my last Heart of Darkness entry I wanted to pinpoint Mr. Kurtz’s development and meaning in the novel. I found it pretty difficult to narrow down to a sentence or two, so I will describe some of the elements that make Kurtz so special for the text. First of all, Kurtz guides all of the characters in the novel, they all have some impression of this individual and in a way they are all looking for him. When they interact with Kurtz, he takes over the conversation, as described by Marlow: “when encamped in the forest, they had talked all night, or more probably Kurtz had talked” (Conrad, 102-103). As the characters describe their interactions with Kurtz, they all seemed impressed by his ability to talk of just about any topic, and his facility to create new insight and impressive ideas. The reader’s interaction with this character rests in other’s words, the reader never interacts with Kurtz himself until his dying moments. I find it interesting how Conrad develops this urge to find Kurtz, which finally resolves in his own death.

Likewise, Conrad uses repetition to highlight important elements of Kurtz, specially his impact on others. By the end of the novel, Marlow describes how he was changed by knowing this character, starting “when the foundations of our intimacy were being laid – to endure – to endure – even to the end – even beyond” (Conrad, 123). The last piece of this sentence, combined with the repetition of the word “endure” helps the reader understand how influential Kurtz would become in Marlow’s life. The fact that Marlow has been the narrator for the whole story, that the reader has been able to know him and understand his thinking, accentuates such understanding. The reader is truly shocked by how powerfully Kurtz impacts Marlow’s life.

Furthermore, the reader needs some kind of assurance of Kurtz’s geniality. As Marlow describes his near death experience, he affirms that “Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it” (Conrad, 132). The simplicity with which Marlow states his opinion of Kurtz, helps the reader imagine what it must be like to find somebody who is so confident of what he says and does, specially after having dwelled in the Congo for so long. The possibility of finding oneself, the real and true spirit behind all of our decisions and actions becomes this character. The journey into the Congo, the journey into the darkest and most remote places of our souls is the Kurtz we each have in us.