The Characters of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness - Explained

TLDRExplore the main characters of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, including Charlie Marlow, Kurtz, the Manager, the Russian, and the Helmsman. Learn about their roles, motivations, and the themes they represent in the novella.

Key insights

👤Charlie Marlow is the protagonist and narrator, exposing the brutality of imperialism.

💀Kurtz is a depraved and dying character, corrupted by greed and the jungle.

💼The Manager is a cold and calculating figure, indifferent to the suffering of the natives.

🌍The jungle acts as an antagonist, corrupting characters and reflecting the darkness within.

🏞️The Russian is a young adventurer who idolizes Kurtz and becomes devoted to him.

Q&A

Who is the protagonist and narrator of Heart of Darkness?

The protagonist and narrator of Heart of Darkness is Charlie Marlow, who shares his journey up the Congo River with a small group of friends.

What corrupts Kurtz in Heart of Darkness?

Kurtz is corrupted by greed and the solitude of the jungle, which drives him to become depraved and dying.

Who is the chief agent of the company's inter station in Heart of Darkness?

The chief agent of the company's inter station is Kurtz, who is admired by the natives but carries out brutal actions.

What role does the jungle play in Heart of Darkness?

The jungle acts as the antagonist, corrupting characters like Kurtz and attempting to ward off intruders.

Who is the Russian in Heart of Darkness?

The Russian is a young adventurer who journeys to Africa and becomes devoted to Kurtz, idolizing him.

Timestamped Summary

00:09Introduction to the characters in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

00:21Charlie Marlow, the protagonist and narrator, shares his journey up the Congo River.

00:31Introduction to Kurtz, a depraved and dying character corrupted by greed and the jungle.

01:17The Manager, a cold and calculating figure, indifferent to the suffering of the natives.

01:49Exploring the role of the jungle as the antagonist, corrupting characters like Kurtz.

01:58Introduction to the Russian, a young adventurer who becomes devoted to Kurtz.

02:24The Houseman, an African character with an unstable personality.

02:41Racist comments made by Marlow about the helmsman.