Question+4

During Marlow's physical examination before he leaves for Africa, the doctor takes certain measurements, which he says are for scientific research. Marlow asks him whether he examines his subjects when they return. The doctor says that he does not because the changes are on the inside. Discuss ways in which Kurtz and Marlow are both changed internally by their experiences in the jungle.

Kurtz appears to have gone mad from his experiences in the jungle. When he first travels to the jungle he is going there to be involved in the ivory trade, while his intentions in the beginning are good, and means to only trade with the people throughout the land. After being there for some time however, he becomes a greedy man who is focused only on gaining as much ivory as he possibly can. At some points Kurtz threatens people to gain even more ivory, the Russian told Marlow, "He declared he would shoot me unless I gave him the ivory and then cleared out of the country, because he could do so, and had a fancy for it, and there was nothing on earth to prevent him killing whom he jolly well pleased" (Conrad 131). The jungle seems to have consumed Kurtz's soul, and has turned him from an innocence man to one consumed with the need to have the most. As for Marlow, he beings the journey as a civilized man who travels for the purpose of wanting to see the "mighty river", while there, the river and people around him consume him into being somewhat uncivilized. Whenever they meet the "natives" along the riverbank while on there way to visit Kurtz, Marlow says that, "They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces" (Conrad 105). Marlow describe the natives that way and later on said, "You wonder why I didn't go ashore for a howl and a dance? Well, no-I didn't. Fine sentiments, you say? Fine sentiments, be-hanged! I had no time" (Conrad 106). The journey changed Marlow into somewhat of an uncivilized man, while he did not fully act as the natives did, he had the thoughts and wishes to be as carefree as those on the land. AK