Heart of Darkness: A Summary and Analysis
A large group awoke in the middle of the night. The natives were attacking, and a thick fog made it impossible to see anything. The cannibals wanted to eat them, but Marlow prevented it, even though they had endured a season without food. He only gave them a piece of wire and other utensils for them to eat or trade as needed. (The author explains that he understood why they were given these items rather than food, but also acknowledged that they were very formal in payment and always performed on time.)
The next morning, the natives attacked the crew again, who responded with rifles, but to no avail. The head of the cannibals, who was steering the rudder, was struck by an arrow, which saddened Marlow, who saw him as a good man. When he died, Marlow threw his body into the river to prevent the cannibals from eating him.
After that, Marlow heard a rumor that he had killed someone. At that moment, the protagonist realizes that the purpose of his trip was not to see the place he had always wanted to go. His intention had changed; now, his goal was to meet Kurtz. Marlow paused, thinking that he would never truly know Kurtz, and perhaps it was better that way, so he would never hear his voice.
Encounter with the Harlequin
Upon arriving at their destination, they were greeted by a man dressed as a harlequin. This man denied the rumor that Kurtz had died and said they were aware of the natives’ attack. He also said the house where they found the wood was his, so Marlow gave him the book he had found.
Conversation with the Harlequin
In this last chapter, the man dressed as a harlequin had a conversation with the protagonist, recounting how he knew Kurtz and the relationship they had. It seemed to Marlow that Kurtz was a bit crazy and ambitious, as the only thing that mattered to him was ivory. The harlequin recounted an incident where he had a small amount of ivory, and Kurtz wanted to take it. He also mentioned that their relationship involved selling, i.e., did they have children? friction? by Don Kurtz but? Harlequin? spoke with admiration of him.
Kurtz’s Demise
The director spoke with Kurtz, and Marlow told him that their methods were wrong and that he did not agree. They got into the boat, and Marlow spoke with Kurtz, careful not to disappoint him with his voice. A cry in the night woke him, and he found Kurtz and Marlow walking along a path back to the ship. In the morning, when they went after them, shouts were heard, and the sailors wanted to attack them, but Marlow played the siren, and they ran.
Marlow spoke with Kurtz, who gave him some papers tied with a piece of rope and told him not to show them to the director. Another day, Kurtz awoke saying, “Horror! Horror!” These were his last words. They held a small burial and returned to the city.
Aftermath
Upon his return, an employee of the company forced him to hand over the papers that Kurtz had given him, alleging that he had signed a contract. However, Marlow did not give them to him, delivering a report some time later. A man who claimed to be his cousin appeared, but also gave Marlow genes. In Marlow we were only a few letters and went to take them to your partner and, although more than a year had passed since his death, she continued to post the sad death because she was wearing mourning , gave him the documents and spoke of the deceased.
When she asked him what his last words were, Marlow told her that his name had been a lie, even it went after that describes the views that have at the moment from the Nellie.