Heart Of Darkness

In this paper I will show 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.

	The Kurtz prior to his journey was a man with a noble heart. 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 old 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 faith…He could get himself to believe anything" (244). Marlow fully agreed with this statement. Marlow said, "This is the reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it" (241).

	He 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 almost a god. The Intended promises Marlow she was worthy of him, she had all his noble confidence. Their engagement wasn’t approved because Kurtz wasn’t 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.

	The Kurtz prior to the journey seems to be a man with a heart of gold. "His goodness shone in every act" (250). But in actuality his soul was conformed by society and the "warning voice of a kind neighbor" (206). He was a man with principles just because principles were all around him. Kurtz was dependent on that kind neighbor to keep him noble.

	The 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 drew a painting of a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The painting had a background that was somber-almost black. Her movements were stately, and the effect of the torch-light on the face was sinister (169). Kurtz had painted this while he was at the Central Station. This painting is Kurtz’ view of the colonization of Africa. The blindfold refers to the lack of vision that the advancing civilization going into Africa has.