Heart of Darkness

Marlow continues to talk to the Russian trader, who relates the story of how he met Kurtz and spent a night camping with him in the jungle. After listening to Kurtz speak all night, the Russian nursed Kurtz through two illnesses. Kurtz typically “wandered alone, far in the depths of the forest” (128) gathering ivory. Kurtz has won the adoration of a native tribe, using the men to raid other villages for goods. The relationship between the Russian and Kurtz is unpredictable; Kurtz has threatened to kill the Russian, but the Russian refuses to judge Kurtz by the standards applied to normal men. He has encouraged Kurtz to return down the river, but Kurtz has refused, and now Kurtz has fallen terribly ill once again.

Marlow examines Kurtz’s station from his position on the boat. He notices severed heads placed on stakes, all turned to face Kurtz’s cabin, and Marlow begins to understand the hollowness at the core of Kurtz’s character. The Russian tries to make excuses for the heads; they belonged to rebels who disagreed with Kurtz. Marlow laughs. The Russian believes that Kurtz has been treated “shamefully” (131) by the Company, which has abandoned their best trader.