The Kurtz prior to his journey was a man with a noble heart. We learn about Kurtz prior to his journey by listening to the conversations Marlow has when he returns from Africa. Marlow talked with Kurtz' cousin, an old colleague, and his Intended. Kurtz "was a universal genius" (244). The old colleague told of "how the man could talk. He electrified large meetings. He had faith...He could get himself to believe anything" (244). Marlow fully agreed with this statement. Marlow said, "This is the reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it" (241).

He was one of those men who you had to admire. You HAD to love him, if you knew him. The Intended said, "she had been worthy of him" (248). She speaks of him as almost a god. The Intended promises Marlow she was worthy of him, she had all his noble confidence. Their engagement wasn't approved because Kurtz wasn't wealthy enough. Kurtz had the ability to draw "men towards him by what was best in them" (249). This is the gift of the great. Kurtz was a great man. He was

As they left the darkness, Kurtz life seemed to run out of him. "The brown current ran swiftly out of the heart of darkness" (237). The current ran from the jungle, but the current of life also ran out of Kurtz' heart, a heart of darkness.

Kurtz was a great speaker because "it echoed loudly within him because he was hollow at the core" (220). Shakespeare knew this, for he once said, "the empty vessel makes the greatest sound." This explains the combination of hollowness and eloquence.

The old doctor knew what was happening. He commented, "It would be interesting for science to watch the mental changes of individuals, on the spot" (148). All that remains is a memory now, a memory of his promise, his greatness, his generous mind, and of his noble heart. He was a man with plans, but his words and example shall survive.

Kurtz was under a spell of the darkness. Marlow says "I tried to break the spell-the heavy, mute spell of the wilderness-that seemed to draw him (Kurtz) to its pitiless breast by the awakening of forgotten and brutal instincts, by the memory of gratified and monstrous passions" (234). Kurtz wanted to do the things he was always told not to do in civilization. Now no one was telling him not to do them, so he did what felt good.

The Kurtz prior to the journey seems to be a man with a heart of gold. "His goodness shone in every act" (250). But in actuality his soul was conformed by society and the "warning voice of a kind neighbor" (206). He was a man with principles just because principles were all around him. Kurtz was dependent on that kind neighbor to keep him noble.

The Kurtz in transition was a man with a heart that understands what is going on in the jungle. Kurtz is described as a first-class agent, a very remarkable person, who will go very far. Kurtz drew a painting of a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch. The painting had a background that was somber-almost black. Her movements were stately, and the effect of the torch-light on the face was sinister (169). Kurtz had painted this while he was at the Central Station. This painting is Kurtz' view of the colonization of Africa. The blindfold refers to the lack of vision that the advancing civilization going into Africa has. Marlow agrees. He refers to the colonists, as "men going at it blind-as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness" (140). The torch usually means bearers of a spark from the sacred fire, bearers of Christianity. But in this sense, the torch seems to be destructive, a tool that is used to start fires on the savages' homes. This gives the sinister effect on the face. Chris

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1783
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)