... Kurtz by way of comparison. In Conrad's world, all Kurtz can do is respond to the winds of darkness by being blown over. All his power cannot prevent his darkness from being unleashed at the Inner Station. As much as Marlow also hints at Kurtz's dark energy, he shows the man as passively manipulated by the force of African darkness that mingles with his own dark heart. Marlow describes Kurtz's relationship with the Congo by stating: "The thing ... deathbed in Heart of Darkness. Kurtz exemplifies the unraveling of the duplicitous, excessive civilizing imperialism that King Leopold employ...

• Word Count: 1126
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate