How Does Kurtz Present The Evil In Heart Of Darkness

Joseph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness, reveals the true nature of human beings. Throughout Heart of Darkness, certain characters, such as Kurtz and Marlow, expose the horror and brutality which is contained within a person’s heart. As the novella unfolds, Marlow uncovers the inhumanity and depravity that man can inflict on one another for the sake of imperialism. Furthermore, Kurtz reveals the murkiness which is inherent in human nature and the intentional destruction which man creates. Heart of Darkness examines the evil and moral decay within the heart of every person. Throughout the novella, Heart of Darkness explores the notion of evilness and cruelty within a person’s heart. Upon arriving in the Congo, Marlow witnesses “countless [natives]” (Conrad 18) who are “chained” (21) and “beaten” (21) like animals. The white men view the natives as “worthless savages” (39), who should be used as “slaves” (23). The Europeans exemplify their ruthlessness by treating “savages inhumanly” (41) and by regarding the Africans as “despicable” (27). In addition, the Europeans “steal” (24) the natives’ precious “ivory and rubber” (12) for their own personal “profit” (25) and “gain” (26). Throughout the novella, Heart of Darkness explores the savagery and wickedness which men contain deep …show more content…
At first, Kurtz believes that the “inhabitants” (35) of the Congo can be “civilized” (45) and “tamed” (51). Kurtz writes multitudes of letters “trying to convince” (24) the Belgians that the natives can be “manipulated” (45) into doing what Kurtz wants. However, Kurtz realizes that he has become the “savage” (47) after living “countless days” (57) with the natives. Kurtz tells Marlow to “exterminate the brutes” (62), after Kurtz realizes he has no “control” (63) over the natives. Throughout the story, Heart of Darkness exposes the moral decay in the mind of all humans, depicted through the actions of