Kurtz is introduced as the aim of Marlow's mission. Throughout the whole story we hear actually very little of Kurtz himself speaking, even though before we meet him he is described as a captivating orator. Stories of his strength, charisma, and powerful influence over the natives he encounters are told as Marlow travels upward toward the inner station. However, when we finally arrive to meet Kurtz he is ill, decrepit, and to the point where he can barely speak. There are other minor characters such as the group of pilgrims, a Russian wanderer, and Kurtz's intended. The group of pilgrims accompanies Marlow on his trip to the interior; they are greedy, self-interested, one dimensional characters. Every time natives where around they were all found holding their rifles eagerly waiting for a reason to massacre them. The Russian wanderer is the main proponent of the grandeur of Kurtz. He is found at the inner station keeping Kurtz company. . His devotion to Kurtz is unfaltering, "'I tell you,' he cried, 'this man has enlarged my mind. '- Through the continued praise we see how much of an influence Kurtz held over all types of people. Finally, Kurtz's Intended is a character mentioned only at the end of the book. She lives In Europe and Marlow goes to visit her after his return from Africa. She also was utterly devoted to Kurtz and believed strongly in his noble motives.
One of the conflicts that is most striking when reading the book is the idea of man versus the idea of civilization. Both Kurtz and to an extent Marlow struggle with this, once they are outside of "civilization- and have no one to answer to, they question what it is keeping them from becoming barbaric like the savages. In Kurtz's case, he enters the heart of darkness with the noble goal of bringing civilization and progress, but no sooner does he arrive than an intense sense of isolation from any consequence strips him of his civilized exterior.