Heart Of Darkness Kurtz Imperialism

The age old metonymic statement that is engraved in the mind’s of humans is ‘the pen is mightier than the sword”. The adage is simplistic terms means that ,to truly win battle, to conquer the insurmountable, and to change society is through communication and persuasion;not brute force. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, that is exactly what the infamous Kurtz did. Kurtz is revered by all as a “remarkable man” (49). Kurtz was known as “a prodigy” (92) and the young Russian, his fiancee, friends, and the African natives all adore him. Kurtz gains his power because of his charismatic nature and his way with words. He is able to completely transform the mind of the young Russian and Kurtz’s great ability to tell enticing stories makes the young Russian forget “there was a such thing as sleep” (30). Kurtz even seduces Marlow

Marlow relates and admires Kurtz’s “spirit of adventure” (30) which is similar to his own. Kurtz comes to Africa with noble intentions of “improving” the dark African continent which was the ultimate goal of the European Imperialist. This is highlighted in Kurtz’s report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs. Kurtz’s report as Marlow puts is “vibrating with eloquence” (25) and it serves as the model for European colonialism. Kurtz’s report specifically alludes to his success in the African Congo because he “necessarily appear(s) to them [savages] in the nature of supernatural beings -- we approach them with the might as of a deity”. Kurtz is successful in his goal and the African natives admire him so much that they defend him from Marlow because the natives “do not want him to go”(29). Kurtz’s words hold the capacity to enlarge mens minds, but he invariably as soon as he gets the taste to acquire more ivory, becomes corrupted. Kurtz “to speak plainly, he raided the country” (31).