Character Analysis Of Kurtz In Darkness Of Darkness

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Kurtz is innocent as well as the perpetrator. This is a contrast as the ambiguous as the comparison of Conrad’s portrayal of the two evils imposed by Europe’s Imperialist mentality and Africa’s savage nature. As the darkness of imperialism transmits itself upon its victims, it acts as a parasite that controls one person to hurt others, and Kurtz is not at all exempt from this situation. The brutal nature of of imperialism found in the Congo eventually crushed the naive courage and bravery that initially took him there. Eventually, this dual nature of this complex character aids the redemption of Marlow by allowing him to recognize the destruction brought on by the Europeans from what is called the Noble Cause. Conrad’s portrayal of Kurtz is similar to the tragic hero; along with his initial tragic flaw that led him to his fall. Kurtz’s …show more content…

When Marlow returns from his Congo trip, the intended only remembers how great of the potential Kurtz had before he had left to the Congo and went crazy, not because she loved Kurtz, but because Kurtz had to die worthy of a man to marry her. In the end of the story, Kurtz has gone insane thinking that all worldly possessions are his. 'My ivory. ' Oh, yes, I heard him. 'My Intended, my ivory, my station, my river, my - ' everything belonged to him.(2.29)Kurtz’s wish to join the upper class is fueled by the societal glamorification of wealth and power that shadows imperialist ideals. As Kurtz lived out his purpose as a sacrificial figure, he dies. However the true worth of his sacrifice is untold; his legacy is carried upon Marlow, symbolized by the disease he contracts that does not kill him. However, this burden of truth is almost impossible to spread by Marlow, for that reason, Kurtz’s discovery of truth is almost obsolete. The tragic sacrifice of Kurtz and the aimless product of that sacrifice makes Kurtz a victim of the

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