Heart Of Darkness Kurtz A Hero

Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definition of a hero is “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad explores the way greed and jealousy seize the goodness in a man’s heart, as well as the possibility of them becoming a courageous character. In his novel, Conrad displays that although Marlow and Kurtz are perceived as heroes due to their moral and noble attributes, they are unable to become true heroes. Their lust towards power and control over land and ivory ultimately expands the desire and expansion of darkness in the hearts of people who once had good intentions.

Based on the definition of a hero, Kurtz is the ideal portrayal of one based on his effect over others, but due to his

Even though Kurtz is a charismatic and gifted individual, his true nature is revealed through his view on the natives. While reading the “Suppression of Savage Customs” report that Kurtz had written, Marlow is awestruck by the potency of his words. Marlow describes the feeling it gave him while reading it as a “notion of an exotic Immensity ruled by an august Benevolence. It made me tingle with enthusiasm. This was the unbounded power of eloquence – of words – of burning noble words” (Conrad, 62). The cleverness of Kurtz 's speech is considered a characteristic of a heroic character, but Kurtz soon becomes a corrupt individual by stating at the end of the report to “Exterminate all the brutes!” (Conrad, 62). Kurtz’s statement represents his inner lust for dominance and power over others, as he believes that the brutes, also known as the natives, are so inferior to him that they are required to perish. His declaration is ironic because although he considers the natives as brutes, he is more of a savage than they are considering they do not try to harm Kurtz in any manner. In addition, Kurtz is successful in carrying out his wishes by murdering the Congolese

Apart from that, he cannot become a hero due to his perception of superiority over certain people in society and his indifference to the safety of the natives. Before his departure to Africa, Marlow remains to say goodbye to his aunt, who aids him by representing him as a "good fortune for the Company" (Conrad, 21). During their conversation, he displays his belief of a supremacy over women by stating that they are too innocent and incapable of living in the real world. His aunt’s remarks state that the Company is “weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways,” and that the “labourer is worthy of his hire” (Conrad, 21). Her opinion is referring to the native’s work as being honest and deserving, so Marlow then goes on to state his opinion on women: “It’s queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there has never been anything like it, and can never be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset” (Conrad, 21). Marlow’s statement expresses his disrespect towards women’s ability to live in a man’s world; his judgmental attitude towards her is, therefore, an unlike characteristic of a hero in fictional stories. Similarly, Marlow critics the civilians’ lives once he is back in his own country and believes that his