"I was within a hair’s-breadth of the last opportunity for pronouncement, and I found with humiliation that probably I would have nothing to say. This is the reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it. . . . He had summed up—he had judged. ‘The horror!’ He was a remarkable man"
This quote was striking because even after all Marlow had endured with Kurtz, he still immortalized him. Just the fact that Kurtz had something to say in the eyes of death, made him 'remarkable' in the presence of Marlow. Marlow will never truly know or understand the the meaning behind Kurtz's last words, but he is envious of the idea that Kurtz still had enough spunk to make such a statement in such dire times.
Marlow is not even capable of telling Kurtz's intended his actual last words, for fear of her feelings, or perhaps for the fear for the truth behind the words.
By Kurtz making such a statement, he once again solidified his mark as a phantom, a mere voice or puzzle in the mind of Marlow. Marlow was never really able to view Kurtz as an equal, he always represented that inner voice of reason, Kurtz rested deep within Marlow's soul, and because of that, Marlow will be forever connected with Kurtz even through death. Kurtz always wanted to be considered and be a god, and now with his final statement, he would get his wish and live for eternity with the help of Marlow.
Even in death, Kurtz has more of an influence than most people living.
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1 comment:
I disagree. I think Marlow knows exactly what Kurtz meant with his last words. He was looking at his soul and being completely honest about what he saw. Marlow, perhaps, was unable to do this.
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