What do you know about Mr. Kurtz and his intended?
Heart of Darkness is a notable literary work by Joseph Conrad. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Heart of Darkness.
Answer
What do you know about Mr. Kurtz and his intended? [NU: 2019, 21, 22] ★★★
Joseph Conrad’s (1857-1924) “Heart of Darkness” (1899) gives us two strong images. One is Mr. Kurtz in the Congo. The other is his Intended in Europe. Through them, Conrad shows the truth and the illusion of imperialism. Marlow meets both Kurtz in the jungle and the Intended in the sepulchral city.
Mr. Kurtz – The God of the Jungle: Kurtz is a trader. He collects more ivory than all others. The Russian says about Kurtz that,
“Sends in as much ivory as all the others put together…”
He becomes a demi-god among the natives. Skulls on stakes stand outside his hut. Marlow sees this horror. Kurtz has lost his morality. He rules by fear and desire. At his death, he cries,
“The horror! The horror!”
These words show his final truth.
The Intended – The Dream in Europe: After Kurtz’s death, Marlow returns to Europe. There, he meets the Intended. She lives in a house full of darkness and mourning. She still believes Kurtz was noble. She says his memory is pure. Marlow sees her faith. He feels pity. She lives in illusion. The Intended asks Marlow about Kurtz’s last words. The truth is “The horror! The horror!” But Marlow lies. He says,
“The last word he pronounced was—your name.”
He hides the horror. He protects her dream. Kurtz’s Intended becomes a symbol of Europe itself. Europe hides its greed under the mask of civilization.
Kurtz shows the truth of imperialism in Africa. The Intended shows the illusion of it in Europe. Through them, Conrad reveals both the horror and the lie of empire.