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Fiction

Notes reader understands that we will a more accurate portrait of Marlow by examining his interactions
with Kurtz.

Part Three
Marlow is astonished at the Russian’s words. He is gathering a clearer picture of Kurtz. The
Russian says that he has gone so far that he does not know if he will ever get back. Apparently
he has been alone with Kurtz for many months. His sense of adventure is pure, and glamour
urges him onward. The Russian remembers the first night he spoke to Kurtz: he forgot to
sleep, he was so captivated. Kurtz made him “see things.” He has nursed this great man
through illnesses and has accompanied him on explorations to villages. Kurtz has raided the
country by securing the cooperation of the nearby tribe, whose members all adore him. He
loses himself in ivory hunts for weeks at a time. The Russian disagrees that Kurtz is mad. Even
when this bright-eyed adventurer was dismissed by his mentor, he refused to go. Kurtz went
down the river alone to make another ivory raid. His illness acted up, so the Russian joined
him in order to take care of him.
Presently, Kurtz lies in a hut surrounded by heads on stakes. Marlow is not very shocked at
the sight. He takes this as an indication that Kurtz lacks restraint in the gratification of his
lusts, a condition for which the wilderness is culpable. Marlow assumes that Kurtz was hollow
inside and needed something to fill that lack. The Russian is perturbed by Marlow’s attitude
of skepticism. He also has heard enough about the ceremonies surrounding this revered man.

Task Why does Marlow want to travel up the Congo River?

Suddenly a group of men appear around the house. They convene around the stretcher that
holds the dying Kurtz. He tells the natives to leave. The pilgrims carry him to another cabin
and give him his correspondence. In a raspy voice he says he is glad to meet Marlow. The
Manager comes in to talk privately with Kurtz. Waiting on the boat with the Russian, Marlow
sees the “apparition” of a gorgeous woman. She glitters with gold and paint, and she looks
savage. She steps to the edge of the shore and eyes the steamer. She gestures violently toward
the sky, turns, and disappears into the thicket. The harlequin man fears her.
The Manager emerges. Taking Marlow aside, he says they have done all they can for Kurtz.
He adds that Kurtz did more harm than good for the Company. His actions were too “vigorous”
for the moment. Marlow does not agree that Kurtz’s method was unsound. To him, Kurtz is
a remarkable man—even somehow a friend. Marlow warns the Russian to escape before he
can be hanged; he states that he will keep Kurtz’s reputation safe. It was Kurtz who ordered
the attack on the steamer because he did not want to be taken away—Kurtz thus thought to
fake his death.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Heart of Darkness opens in what setting?
(a) A boat on the Congo River (b) A boat on the Thames River
(c) The Company’s offices in Brussels (d) The Outer Station
2. Where does Kurtz die ?
(a) At the Inner Station (b) In Brussels
(c) Aboard Marlow’s steamer (d) In the Jungle

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