Even before the first physical exchange, a man’s reputation is often the initial impression one receives. Reputations can produce misconstrued conceptions that shape another’s attitude. They can seemingly make one man another’s superior. A man’s prestige can establish authority and greatness where the two may be equals in every other merit. Through the revealing characterization in his novel Heart of Darkness, Conrad suggests that reputation is the driving force of humanity.
Prior to meeting Kurtz, Marlow learns of his reputation, which then motivates Marlow to continue his work with the Company. Kurtz’s reputation precedes him. He is first mentioned upon Marlow’s arrival to his Company’s station and meeting with the accountant (Conrad …show more content…
Kurtz’s eloquence is the quality that elevates him above his peers. His fluency defines his person and allows him to establish a prominent reputation. At Kurtz’s station, his powerful reputation is obvious; the natives do “not stir till Mr. Kurtz [gives] the word,” and Marlow notes that “his ascendancy [is] extraordinary” (87). As the Russian talks about his experiences with Kurtz, Marlow can observe Kurtz’s substantive characteristics. For instance, outside Kurtz’s residence in Africa he places heads on stakes to serve as a precedent and establish authority over the natives (86). Finally, when Marlow has the opportunity to meet Kurtz and see him as he is, he discovers that Kurtz is “hollow at the core” (87). His reputation is merely a facade for his inner deficiency, a lack of …show more content…
However, still remaining is his reputation in the form of how people talk about him after he is dead, people including those who worked with him, his fiancé, and, of course, Marlow who tells the story to his crewmates on the Nellie. Kurtz’s legacy is defined by what gave him his great reputation while he was alive—words. Upon seeing the truth of Kurtz in the flesh and hearing Kurtz’s last words, Marlow reasons that Kurtz is remarkable and still respectable because “he had something to say… he had summed up—he had judged” (106). Kurtz’s modest burial in a “muddy hole” sharply contrasts with his great reputation and power (105). Also, in his sickly condition, Kurtz expresses his genuine character, one that is selfish, materialistic, "childish" (103). Thus, Conrad asserts that a man’s reputation is not inherently equivalent to his true
Prior to meeting Kurtz, Marlow learns of his reputation, which then motivates Marlow to continue his work with the Company. Kurtz’s reputation precedes him. He is first mentioned upon Marlow’s arrival to his Company’s station and meeting with the accountant (Conrad …show more content…
Kurtz’s eloquence is the quality that elevates him above his peers. His fluency defines his person and allows him to establish a prominent reputation. At Kurtz’s station, his powerful reputation is obvious; the natives do “not stir till Mr. Kurtz [gives] the word,” and Marlow notes that “his ascendancy [is] extraordinary” (87). As the Russian talks about his experiences with Kurtz, Marlow can observe Kurtz’s substantive characteristics. For instance, outside Kurtz’s residence in Africa he places heads on stakes to serve as a precedent and establish authority over the natives (86). Finally, when Marlow has the opportunity to meet Kurtz and see him as he is, he discovers that Kurtz is “hollow at the core” (87). His reputation is merely a facade for his inner deficiency, a lack of …show more content…
However, still remaining is his reputation in the form of how people talk about him after he is dead, people including those who worked with him, his fiancé, and, of course, Marlow who tells the story to his crewmates on the Nellie. Kurtz’s legacy is defined by what gave him his great reputation while he was alive—words. Upon seeing the truth of Kurtz in the flesh and hearing Kurtz’s last words, Marlow reasons that Kurtz is remarkable and still respectable because “he had something to say… he had summed up—he had judged” (106). Kurtz’s modest burial in a “muddy hole” sharply contrasts with his great reputation and power (105). Also, in his sickly condition, Kurtz expresses his genuine character, one that is selfish, materialistic, "childish" (103). Thus, Conrad asserts that a man’s reputation is not inherently equivalent to his true