Kurtz (Heart of Darkness)

Kurtz is a central and enigmatic character in Joseph Conrad's novella, Heart of Darkness. He is a gifted ivory trader employed by a Belgian trading company operating in the Congo Free State. Initially heralded as a man of immense talent and progressive ideals, Kurtz descends into madness and brutality as he gains unchecked power and succumbs to the corrupting influence of the jungle.

Kurtz is presented primarily through the narration and perspective of Charles Marlow, who journeys up the Congo River to find him. Marlow hears stories of Kurtz's exceptional abilities and charisma long before encountering him, fueling a sense of anticipation and mystique. These accounts depict Kurtz as a painter, a journalist, and a man destined for greatness.

However, the reality Marlow discovers is a stark contrast to the idealized image. Kurtz has established himself as a god-like figure among the indigenous population, demanding absolute obedience and engaging in barbaric practices, including the ritualistic display of severed heads on stakes around his station.

The ivory Kurtz collects is significant in quantity but obtained through ruthless exploitation and violence. His methods expose the hypocrisy of the European colonial enterprise and the devastating impact of imperialism on both the colonized and the colonizers.

Kurtz's famous last words, "The horror! The horror!" are open to interpretation but generally understood to represent his profound disillusionment and recognition of the depravity he has both witnessed and perpetrated. He is a symbol of the darkness within humanity and the corrupting influence of power, isolation, and greed. His character explores themes of colonialism, civilization versus savagery, moral decay, and the nature of evil. He remains one of the most complex and haunting figures in modern literature.