Chapter three was quite a disappointment to those who had waited for the wonderful Kurtz. It became almost depressing to know that you read this entire novel and had this image built up in anticipation for an amazing person to end with a “sucky” introduction to Kurtz like this one. It was obvious from Kurtz’s and later Marlow’s sickness that it was caused by being in the “heart of darkness” or Africa, for it caused immense amounts of unbearable greed that even though was described as physical illness was mental as well. While they may have been extremely sick, I know it was caused by the suffering they faced.
It was interesting to hear the Russian trader talk about Kurtz before the natives brought him on a stretcher over to where Marlow was. For someone who was supposed to be all mighty and powerful, he seemed to be quite a jerk. Although somewhat of a shocking idea, one could tell that Kurtz was a true business man who was concerned with just that and did not even care if he would have to kill someone (like the threat to the trader) to move up in his ivory business. Also when sick, a beautiful lady reappeared several times, someone whom the Russian believed to be Kurtz’s lover; however, I felt that this lady was symbolizing Kurtz’s regret for leaving Europe and appeared in the most desperate and reflective times.
In the last section when Marlow is returning home, I was struck by him describing the fact that the way home was so quick, while the journey to Africa was so looooong. But then I remembered that in the first chapter they were moving up stream and were in great anticipation for the adventure, and then on the way home they were moving down stream and were waiting to reach home again. Often times when we initially go somewhere the way may seem long because we are not fully aware or prepped to enter such an environment, but then leaving we are ready to return to our old way and environment.
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