Heart Of Darkness :: essays research papers

In this paper I will say the effect the "Heart of Darkness" had on Kurtz in the stages prior to, the Kurtz in transition, and at the end of his journey.&9The Kurtz prior to his journey was a gentlemans gentleman with a noble shopping mall. We learn about Kurtz prior to his journey by listening to the conversations Marlow has when he returns from Africa. Marlow talked with Kurtz cousin, an nonagenarian colleague, and his Intended. Kurtz "was a universal genius" (244). The old colleague told of "how the man could talk. He electrified large meetings. He had faithHe could get himself to believe anything" (244). Marlow fully agreed with this statework forcet. Marlow said, "This is the reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it" (241).&9He was one of those men who you had to admire. You HAD to love him, if you knew him. The Intended said, "she had been worthy of him" (248). She speaks of him as almos t a god. The Intended promises Marlow she was worthy of him, she had all his noble confidence. Their troth wasnt approved because Kurtz wasnt wealthy enough. Kurtz had the ability to draw "men towards him by what was best in them" (249). This is the gift of the great. Kurtz was a great man. He was a born leader.&9The Kurtz prior to the journey seems to be a man with a heart of gold. "His goodness shone in every bet" (250). But in actuality his soul was conformed by society and the "warning region of a kind neighbor" (206). He was a man with principles solely because principles were all around him. Kurtz was dependent on that kind neighbor to bound him noble.&9The Kurtz in transition was a man with a heart that understands what is going on in the jungle. Kurtz is described as a first class agent, a very remarkable person, who will go very far. Kurtz displace a painting of a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The painting had a bac kground that was somber-almost black. Her movements were stately, and the effect of the torch-light on the face was sinister (169). Kurtz had particoloured this while he was at the Central Station. This painting is Kurtz view of the settlement of Africa. The blindfold refers to the lack of vision that the advancing civilization going into Africa has.