What impression do you form of the Chief Accountant at the company’s station in “Heart of Darkness?”

Answer

What impression do you form of the Chief Accountant at the company’s station in “Heart of Darkness?” [NU: 2018, 21] ★★★

Joseph Conrad’s (1857-1924) “Heart of Darkness” (1899) shows many strange characters. One of them is the Chief Accountant. Marlow meets him at the Outer Station. He looks neat and clean in the middle of death and misery. He gives us a sharp picture of the empire.

Neat Appearance in the Midst of Suffering: At the Outer Station, Marlow sees starving Africans dying in chains. But the Chief Accountant is dressed well. Marlow says he was,

 “I met a white man,…….an unexpected elegance of get-up.” 

His dress is shining like the sun, but his soul is dark like night. This shows a strange contrast. Around him is death, but he looks fine. His clothes symbolize the false beauty of the empire.

Indifference to Human Suffering: The Chief Accountant only cares about his job. He spends all his time on papers and numbers. Around him, many Africans are sick and dying, but he does not look at them. He feels no sympathy. He is proud of his clean books and neat office. He works as if numbers are more important than people. Even when men are starving or in pain, he does not stop his work. For him, the company’s money is everything. Human life has no value in his eyes. This shows the cold face of imperialism.

The First Mention of Kurtz: From the Chief Accountant, Marlow hears the name “Kurtz” for the first time. The accountant says Kurtz is,

“A very remarkable person.” 

This moment builds suspense. It also shows that even the neat accountant admires Kurtz, though he does not care about others. His words push Marlow to feel more curiosity about Kurtz.

The Chief Accountant is a symbol of the empire’s hypocrisy. He is neat in dress but empty in soul. He shows indifference to suffering. He values ivory and order, not life. Through him, Conrad shows