Relationship Status: It's Complicated

Thesis: In his trek through the heart of darkness, Marlow encounters many unsettling characters, but none of them are as complex as the mysterious Mr. Kurtz. Marlow feels captivated, envious, respect, and spite towards Mr. Kurtz because of the ambiguity in his character and his straightforward and honest approach to imperialism.

I. Kurtz is a legend in the world of imperialism for his unusually ample production of ivory, and thus Marlow is intrigued by the mystery behind his character even before they become acquainted.

A. While docked at the  first station, Marlow hears a lot of chatter about the ominous figure of Mr. Kurtz.

1. "'Ivory,' jerked the nephew; 'lots of it-prime sort-lots-most annoying, from him'" (103).

-Marlow has seen the brutality of imperialism and the greed involved. He is curious as to why the other station leaders are so fixated on Kurtz.

B. Kurtz was heading home and then curiously returned to his station.

1. "It was a distant glimpse: the dugout, four paddling savages, and the lone white man turning his back on the headquarters, on relief, on thoughts of home" (103)."

-This action sets Kurtz apart from the rest of the station leaders because he seems to have an alternative motive behind simply creating profit for the company. Marlow feels so lost in this world, that he thinks Kurtz may have some of the answers for which he is looking.

C. Language, the ability to voice your thoughts, is considered the most valuable human characteristic by Marlow; Marlow sees Kurtz as the voice, therefore demonstrating his interest and admiration for the man. When he think that Kurtz had died Marlow is a wreck.

1. "'By Jove! it's all over. We are too late; he has vanished-the gift has vanished...I will never hear that chap speak after all'" (124).

Kurtz is set apart by the rest of the station leaders, piquing Marlow's interest in this ominous character that does not seem to follow the expected actions of an imperialist.

II. Marlow witnesses the vast power in the hands of Kurtz, and he is amazed and envious of the control Kurtz can wield on nature and the natives.

A. Kurtz is an emaciated and diseased man, but he is able to dominate the healthy hordes of natives.

1. "As if by enchantment, streams of human beings...were poured into the clearing the dark-faced and pensive forest. The bushes shook, the grass swayed for a time, and then everything stood still in attentive immobility" (140).

Nature is also obedient to the demands of Mr. Kurtz; the trees pour out the natives for his desires. The other station masters are abusive and cruel, but the environment seems to idolize Kurtz, which makes him the most successful manager. Marlow has never witnessed this level of power out of adoration instead of blatant fear. Kurtz's tactics of trade and theft are straightforward. He is not fixated on keeping neat accounts of the natives or glossing over the brutality because his methods may not be just, but he is honest and apparent with his actions.

B. Marlow is in awe at the level of control held by Kurtz, but he is also envious and spiteful at the fact that he has so much power.

1. "I resented bitterly the absurd danger of our situation, as if to be at the mercy of that atrocious phantom had been a dishonoring necessity" (140).

At the other stations, Marlow is seen as an equal to the other white managers, but here he feels subordinate. Kurtz is viewed as a deity by the natives, and Marlow does not like to think of himself as so utterly helpless. He therefore resents Kurtz for creating a situation where the natives could potentially harm the Europeans because he views the white race as superior.

III. Out of all the station masters, Marlow respects Kurtz for his ability to clearly view the reality of imperialism. Kurtz recognizes his morals have been led astray, which diseases not only his mind but also his body.    

A. Kurtz began his voyage with clear morals, but over the years the imperialism has overthrown his moral compass and the greed began to set in.

"The wilderness had patted him on the head, and, behold, it was like a ball...it had taken him, loved him, embraced him, got into his veins, consumed his flesh, and sealed his soul to its own by the inconceivable ceremonies of some devilish initiation. He was its spoiled and pampered favourite" (125).

-When he first began acquiring the ivory, Kurtz would trade the ivory for European goods. However, now Kurtz is simply a thief that raids native tribes for their ivory without giving them anything in return. The greed for ivory has consumed his morality. Unlike the other station leaders, Kurtz begins to deteriorate mentally and physically when his actions have gone askew from his intentions. Marlow feels a connection with Kurtz because they both recognize the corruption in imperialism. Kurtz is like an extension of what Marlow could become given the isolation, power, and lust. The physical deterioration of Kurtz is caused by the deterioration of his morals, signifying to Marlow that his character can comprehend the corruption brought upon by imperialism. Marlow respects Kurtz for his ability to view the injustice.

IV. Marlow is forced to question his morals in Africa, but Kurtz's eloquence manipulates Marlow to commit the act he most definitively abhors: a lie.

A. Marlow interrupts his narrative to explain to the audience the thing he detests the most.

1. "You know I hate, detest, and can't bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appalls me. There is a taint of death, a flavour of morality in lies " (97).

-Marlow abhors lying because saying false information is like killing the truth. He does not think that he is a better person than the rest of society, but lying is incredibly painful and uncomfortable for Marlow. Nonetheless, at the end of the novel he lies to the intended of Kurtz to protect her sanity.

2. "'The last words he pronounced was- your name'...It seemed that the house would collapse before I could escape, that the heavens would fall upon my head. But nothing happened...I could not tell her. It would have been too dark" (164).

-While traveling though the heart of darkness, Marlow encountered evils he never knew existed. With all of the cruelty and brutality in the world, Marlow decides that the lie will do more good than harm. The world is full of evils and temptation, so Marlow realizes that ignorance can be the best protection against the cruelties of society.

Conclusion: The complexity in the relationship between Marlow and Kurtz derives from the multiple perspectives in which Marlow views the mysterious station leader.  Kurtz becomes a legend, an idol, a teacher, and a devil in the eyes of Marlow, forcing him to reevaluate his own morals and beliefs.