Marlow and Kurtz in Conrad's Heart of Darkness

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Marlow and Kurtz in Heart of Darkness

Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness revolves around the enigmatic character of Kurtz, a renegade that has split from the authority and control of his organization, that wants to put a stop to his extreme measures and "unsound methods" (Coppola, 1979; Longman, 2000). As a result of Kurtz actions, the character of Marlow is sent to retrieve Kurtz from the desolate outback and as the reader we are lead through the involvement of a tension-building journey up the great river Congo. Along the way, Marlow is given bits of information about Kurtz's actions and finds that he himself identifies with, and becoming somewhat fond of the man. Their relationship and ending moments helps to bring about a change in Marlowe’s very perceptions on colonialism as well as enlightening the reader to various components held within their characters.

By the time Marlow and Kurtz meet, Marlow is already aware of the sim...

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...tz did, and indeed suffer the same fate. Not only did Kurtz lose his life to his beliefs and actions, but he too suffered a degradation of the soul. Marlow returns home, Kurtz spiritually and physically is unable to.

Works Cited and Consulted

Apocalypse Now (1979). Metro Goldwyn Mayer/ United Artists. Video: Prarmount Home Video.

Longman, (2000). The Longman Anthology of British Literature, vol. B. Damrosch, D. (ed.). NY, LA: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.

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