What do you know about the Manager of the Central Station in Heart of Darkness

Answer

What do you know about the Manager of the Central Station in Heart of Darkness?

Joseph Conrad’s (1857-1924) “Heart of Darkness” (1899) shows many faces of imperialism. One key figure is the Manager of the Central Station. Marlow meets him after a long journey into the Congo. The Manager is not strong or clever, but he has power. His character shows how the empire works in silence, fear, and selfishness.

A Man Without Qualities: Marlow is surprised by the Manager. He has no real talent. Yet he survives. Marlow says, 

“He had no learning, and no intelligence. His position had come to him—why? Perhaps because he was never ill…” 

This is his only strength. In the Congo, disease kills many. The Manager lives because he is healthy. His survival becomes power. His weakness shows how the empire rewards empty men.

A Man of Fear and Envy: The Manager fears Kurtz. He hears that Kurtz sends more ivory than all others. Marlow notes the Manager’s unease. He says,

“He inspired uneasiness.” 

His power comes from making others nervous. He envies Kurtz because Kurtz is admired. He wants Kurtz to fail. The Manager is not a leader of vision. He is a man who rules by envy and fear.

A Symbol of the Empire: The Manager cares little about people. He speaks only of trade and ivory. Marlow sees this and feels disgust. The Manager does not build, does not help. He only waits. He is a symbol of the empire itself, empty, greedy, without soul. Marlow realizes that men like him keep the system alive.

The Manager of the Central Station is not great. He is weak, selfish, and fearful. But he rules by surviving. Conrad uses him to show that the empire is run not by noble men, but by hollow ones.