Final Jeopardy 2/6/24 (Literary Characters) & Who Won Tuesday February 6 2024

Mr. Kurtz, in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness,” is a character shrouded in mystery and complexity. His mixed European heritage, with a half-English mother and a half-French father, along with his German name meaning “short,” contribute to the novel’s exploration of European colonial attitudes and their impact on Africa. Kurtz is stationed as an agent for an ivory trading company in the Congo, where he is tasked with procuring ivory from the interior.

As the protagonist, Marlow, journeys up the Congo River to meet Kurtz, he hears various accounts of Kurtz’s greatness, intelligence, and eloquence, building an image of a man larger than life. However, upon meeting Kurtz, Marlow encounters a man who has been dramatically changed by his experiences in Africa. Kurtz has embraced the absolute power he holds over the local African populations, which has led him to commit horrendous acts of violence and exploitation, illustrating the corrupting influence of colonial power.

Kurtz’s famous last words, “The horror! The horror!” reflected his realization of the depths of his own moral and spiritual degradation, as well as the broader evils of imperialism. The character of Kurtz, with his multinational background and the symbolic significance of his name, serves as a critique of European colonialism and the dehumanizing ideologies that supported it.