Kurtz

Kurtz-

Who- ivory trader in conrad’s heart of darkness, sent by a shadowy Belgian company into the heart of the Congo Free State. With the help of his superior technology, Kuntz has turned himself into a charismatic demigod of all the tribes surrounding his station, and gathered vast quantities of ivory in this way. As a result, his name is known throughout the region. The general manager of the company's Congo operation is jealous of Kurtz, and plots his downfall. He was a painter, musician, and writer which was the embodiment of civilization… symbolizes that civilization has gone insane. Kurtz is hollow at the core.

What – Kurtz goes crazy in the jungle with all of his ivory and does not want to leave where all of the people worship him.

When - 1899

Where - he was sent by the belgians.

Why- Kind of relates to superman from nietzsche with him wanting all the ivory and whatnot and he is not a part of any group. This shows that you can become a superman but it is not a pretty place to go. Kurtz finds out « the horror » of himself by looking inside himself at the end when he dies. Kuntz also represents symbolism because he puts up a venier like what nietzsche said about the difference between the surface of things and what lies beneath the surface (the river is also a symbol of this). There is also a rejection of the values of the middle class. « mr. Kurtz lacked restraint in the gratification of his various lusts, that there was something wanting in him—some small matter which, when the pressing need arose, could not be found under his magnificent eloquence, » (conrad 53).