Why! Why!
I am lost as to the reason that Kurtz is being sent for by the company. It is stated that his methods have become unsound. But what does this matter to a company and employees driven by profits alone if Kurtz is pulling in more ivory than any of the other traders in the area?
If the novel is a comment on the evils of European conquest and colonialism then I believe the author would portray these said occurrences as undesirable and evil. They are definitely not positive, no one portrays them as positive. But, by the company sending for an unsound man don't they give themselves a positive image? Is Kurtz killing natives? If so why would the company care? Is is because he has become "one of the natives"? I don't see this as being alarming to the company as long as the money is coming in either. Maybe the heads on the posts in front of camp are heads of white men. This makes more sense but it is never made clear that Kurtz has attacked company men.
Furthermore, what exactly are Kurtz's unsound methods anyways?
If the novel is a comment on the evils of European conquest and colonialism then I believe the author would portray these said occurrences as undesirable and evil. They are definitely not positive, no one portrays them as positive. But, by the company sending for an unsound man don't they give themselves a positive image? Is Kurtz killing natives? If so why would the company care? Is is because he has become "one of the natives"? I don't see this as being alarming to the company as long as the money is coming in either. Maybe the heads on the posts in front of camp are heads of white men. This makes more sense but it is never made clear that Kurtz has attacked company men.
Furthermore, what exactly are Kurtz's unsound methods anyways?
posted by Matthew at
9:56 PM
4 Comments:
I don't think Kurtz is being "sent for" by the Company. Marlow says that he was given the job "because of the captains had been killed in a scuffle with natives." He is not told about Kurtz until he reaches the Company's Station.
Did I read that he was sick and needed to be brought back for medical care? I'll post once I get to that part again on my second read.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yeah, in my spoiler of an introduction it's stated that Marlow is sent to recall the company agent Kurtz who has cut himself off from all communications. Upon his arrival, Marlow sees first-hand the business the company conducts with terrible cruelty towards the Congolese employees. Marlow also finds that Kurtz humanitarian reputation is not so humane after all--whack. However, Marlow is still drawn to Kurtz for reasons unmentioned despite his monsterous ways and self-established deity amongst the indigenous people of the Congo.
I guess basically Kurtz has shifted away from the company (cut off communication), and is trying to run things his way, for his own prosperity. Marlow is sent to stop him/get him back on track/do whatever he has to do. Not sure about Marlows seeming fascination with Kurtz though. Maybe he just admires the fact that Kurtz has been so successful. Need to read more. The end.
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home