Entity: Kurtz

What if Conrad decided to personify the enlightenment and self-discovery that Marlow is after? What if one of the characters isn’t real but a representation of the voyage Marlow is having, through the Congo and through his mind? And what if this personification is a character that has had us intrigued since the first pages of the novel?

I am about to start reading chapter III and Conrad left me in suspense, “‘He is up there,’ he replied, with a toss of the head up the hill, and becoming gloomy all of a sudden.” (pg. 127) the harlequin refers to Mr. Kurtz. I’m starting to believe that Kurtz is a like a Buddha. Everybody talks about him like a superior being, amazed at his skills and his achievements. They look after him, as a role model. A few have said to Marlow, “I tell you,’ he cried, ‘this man has enlarged my mind.” (pg.128) When Kurtz is mentioned, it seems like if he were an entity. Marlow mentions his English and French lineages and adds that “All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz;” as if Kurtz were a product, that I, as much as Marlow, can’t wait to meet.
When Marlow remembers the report that Kurtz had written for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs (which is a very weird society) he admires the “beautiful piece of writing.” and flatters it with these description: “The peroration was magnificent, (…). It gave me the notion of an exotic Immensity ruled by and august Benevolence.” (pg. 123) note that he capitalized “Immensity” and “Benevolence” which could be two words that describe Kurtz himself, if seen from the point of view I’m looking at him, as a personification. I mean, these two words also could fit in a description for an entity as Buddha. These words were not describing Kurtz but his report, which revealed his “unbounded power of eloquence-of words-of burning noble words.” Funny that Kurtz’s strongest skill involves words, right? Is Conrad trying to personify himself too?

The amazing report takes a 180 degree turn with its final four words: “Exterminated all brutes!” demonstrating Kurtz’s final insanity. Is this Marlow’s fate in the voyage? Maybe.

As for Kurtz’s real identity, I am positive he is not just a character, “Whatever he was, he was not common.” (pg. 124)