Heart of Darkness - Section 4

The more the reader learns about Mr. Kurtz throughout Part II of Heart of Darkness, the less perfect Kurtz becomes.  When Marlow first learns of Kurtz, all we know is that Kurtz is “a first-class agent” who “Sends in as much ivory as all the other [agents] put together” (85, 86).  Since all the reader knows of him are the effects of his actions and awed perceptions of the other men involved in the Belgian Congo campaign, Kurtz is initially an enigma, a mysteriously omnipotent Wizard of Oz figure.  However, as Kurtz’s character develops during Part II, Marlow’s story exposes Kurtz’s flaws and imperfections.  As Marlow continues on his treacherous journey to reach Kurtz’s stronghold in central Africa, he compares Kurtz to “an enchanted princess sleeping in a fabulous castle” (117-118).  This concrete image of effeminate helplessness is unlike anything the reader has heard thus far pertaining to Kurtz.  It paints Kurtz as inert, impatient, and even spoiled, contrasting sharply with the glorious stories Marlow has heard over the course of his journey.  Later, Marlow points out that, according to Kurtz, “everything belonged to him [Kurtz]” (126).  The apparent sarcasm of Marlow’s comment displays his apparent annoyance with the way Kurtz perceives the world around him.  This is the first time Marlow directly points out one of Kurtz’s imperfections, the first time the reader sees Marlow admit that the man with whom he has been fascinated all this time may not be the deity he is expecting.  As Marlow comes closer and closer to Kurtz, he begins to realize that he may finally be forced “pay…attention to the man behind the curtain.”