why does marlow hallucinate after kurtz death

Full Answer

What happened to Marlow after Kurtz's death?

Stricken by Kurtz's death, Marlow almost considered suicide, and the remainder of his journey back to Europe is omitted from his narrative. Back in Brussels, Marlow's aunt tried to nurse him back to health. An unnamed representative of the Company then visited Marlow and wanted the papers that Kurtz had given to Marlow.

What were Kurtz's final words?

One evening, after repairing the engine, Marlow entered Kurtz's room and heard him whisper his final words: "The horror! The horror!" Marlow entered the mess-room and refused to meet the inquiring eyes of the Manager. Eventually, the Manager's servant boy peeked into the mess-room and announced, in a contemptuous voice, "Mistah Kurtz — he dead."

How did Kurtz escape the Inner Station?

The Harlequin asked Marlow to guard Kurtz's reputation once he arrived in Europe, asked him for some rifle cartridges and shoes, and then left the Inner Station. Shortly after midnight, Marlow awoke to the sounds of a drumbeat and natives reciting incantations. After hearing a "burst of yells," Marlow entered Kurtz's room and found he had escaped.

What happened to Kurtz's African mistress?

The Manager and other agents laid Kurtz in his bed and delivered his belated pieces of mail. Marlow left Kurtz's room and saw, on the bank of the river, Kurtz's African Mistress, who captivated Marlow with her pride, stature, and appearance. She boarded the steamboat for a minute without speaking, lifted her arms, and then vanished into the bush.

What does Marlow realize when Kurtz dies?

Marlow succumbs to illness and nearly dies himself. He suffers greatly, but the worst thing about his near-death experience is his realization that in the end he would have “nothing to say.” Kurtz, he realizes, was remarkable because he “had something to say.

What happens to Marlow after Kurtz's death?

Stricken by Kurtz's death, Marlow almost considered suicide, and the remainder of his journey back to Europe is omitted from his narrative. Back in Brussels, Marlow's aunt tried to nurse him back to health.

How does Marlow react to Kurtz death?

Marlow believes that Kurtz's dying breath was filled with a startling enlightenment into the horror of his own actions. It is possible that Kurtz, in his dying moments, is appalled by his own savagery.

What does Marlow learn from Kurtz?

Marlow learned that Kurtz asked the Company's Administration to send him into the jungle to show how much ivory he could acquire, and that he sent his assistant back to the Manager because he found him inadequate for the work. Marlow further learned that there were "strange rumours" circulating about Kurtz's behavior.

Why is Kurtz death significant?

Simply, it conveys what the West did during colonization in the name of progress, and under the guise of civilizing the natives. Darkness prevails when he dies, symbolizing that his actions were evil. Thus, it is Kurtz's realization of the bitter and absolute truth of his life.

Why does Marlow lie about Kurtz last words?

Why does Marlow lie to Kurtz's Intended? Marlow lies to Kurtz's Intended to spare her the painful reality of her fiancé's descent into madness and evil. The Intended has a naïve, unshakeable faith in Kurtz.

How does Marlow change in the end of Heart of Darkness?

As Heart of Darkness progresses, Marlow becomes increasingly sensitive to his surroundings and the "darkness" that they may embody or hide. When he visits the Company's headquarters, for example, he is slightly alarmed by the doctor's comments and puzzled by the two women knitting black wool.

What happens when Marlow meets Kurtz?

When Marlow finally reaches the Inner Station, he meets Kurtz when a group of native Africans bears him down in a stretcher. He's not looking too good, but he still has the voice of a radio announcer. Kurtz has a private interview with the manager and they argue.

What reflection about Kurtz makes Marlow feel creepy?

The thing was to know what he belonged to, how many powers of darkness claimed him for their own. That was the reflection that made you creepy all over. It was impossible—it was not good for one either—trying to imagine. He had taken a high seat amongst the devils of the land—I mean literally.

Why was Marlow obsessed with Kurtz?

Throughout the time that Marlow hasn't met Kurtz, he develops an extreme desire to meet this man. So, when he finds that there's a possibility that Kurtz will die, he tries to do everything he can to keep that from happening. Also, Marlow becomes fascinated by this man because he feels like he can relate to Kurtz.

What does Marlow see when he turns his binoculars on Kurtz compound again?

As he listens to the trader, Marlow idly looks through his binoculars and sees that what he had originally taken for ornamental balls on the tops of fence posts in the station compound are actually severed heads turned to face the station house.

What does Kurtz symbolize in Heart of Darkness?

Kurtz, one of the leading characters, the other being Marlow, the narrator of the soty, represents many symbols in the novel. Firstly, he symbolizes the greed and the commercial mentality of the white people of the western countries. Secondly, he symbolizes the white man's love of power.

What did Kurtz give Marlow?

Kurtz gave Marlow a packet of papers and a photograph and asked him to keep it for him, out of reach of the Manager. One evening, after repairing the engine, Marlow entered Kurtz's room and heard him whisper his final words: "The horror! The horror!".

What did Harlequin tell Marlow about Kurtz?

The Harlequin told Marlow that he had spent many nights listening to Kurtz speak about a variety of subjects. Marlow further learned that Kurtz was prone to wandering into the jungle with his band of native followers on ivory raids. While listening to the Harlequin, Marlow looked through his binoculars at Kurtz's quarters and discovered ...

Why did Marlow tell Kurtz he could have been a great politician for any party?

As they talked, the journalist told Marlow that Kurtz could have been a great politician for any party, because he had the charisma and voice to "electrify" large meetings.

What did Marlow hear when he woke up?

Shortly after midnight, Marlow awoke to the sounds of a drumbeat and natives reciting incantations. After hearing a "burst of yells," Marlow entered Kurtz's room and found he had escaped. He found Kurtz crawling through the grass and finally approached him.

What did Marlow see in the Harlequin?

While listening to the Harlequin, Marlow looked through his binoculars at Kurtz's quarters and discovered that the round knobs he previously saw on the posts bordering the house were the heads of native "rebels," turned inward to face Kurtz as he sat inside. Suddenly, Marlow saw a group of natives appear from a corner of the house, ...

Who tried to nurse Marlow back to health?

Back in Brussels, Marlow's aunt tried to nurse him back to health. An unnamed representative of the Company then visited Marlow and wanted the papers that Kurtz had given to Marlow. As he did when pressed by the Manager on their voyage home, Marlow refused.

Who was Kurtz's mistress?

Marlow left Kurtz's room and saw, on the bank of the river, Kurtz's African Mistress, who captivated Marlow with her pride, stature, and appearance.