The Powerful Voice of Kurtz in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Essay

The Powerful Voice of Kurtz in Conrads Heart of Darkness Many times, oral communication by themselves do not convey an idea wholly or conceal it altogether. Instead, the enunciate carrying the words conveys the idea, lending shape and new meaning to the beaten(prenominal) syllables. Words resonate with prescribed meanings, whereas voice creates its own meaning and identity. In Conrads Heart of Darkness, voice comprises the primitive component of language, with words existing just as a secondary function of voice. Glimpsing a primitive truth, Kurtzs voice and soul unite so that his knowledge speaks through his voice, rather than through his words. Alternately flowing words of their meaning and filling them with new meaning, Kurtzs voice contains the power to define his own words. Strip Kurtz of his common syllables, and what remains is a terse note in a margin of seventeen eloquent pages, a frightening voice shaped by unfamiliar words. Marlow first hears of Kurtz as a word repea tedly spoken by others. As Marlow navigates down the river, traveling farther from civilization, Kurtzs voice amplifies, ultimately consuming the name and the human being himself.The voice of Kurtz is heard and realized not in the familiar words of others, but in the journey down the river into the unknown. Peoples inability to allege Kurtzs name suggests the authenticity of Kurtzs own voice and the weakness of the words used to describe him. When describing Kurtz, familiar vocabulary fails altogether Kurtz remains a word with little meaning. Marlow first hears of Kurtz from the Companys chief accountant at Outer Station. When asked who Kurtz is, the accountant responds, He is a very remarkable individual (37).* The accountant does not mention his name without adding t... ...r. The structure of words and the report are unable to contain his voice. Like Kurtzs last words, these simultaneously drain all meaning from words and add their own new meaning, highlighting only lies.In Ge rman kurtz means short. What Kurtz actually says is plain and terse, but appalling. It is not hidden behind words, but revealed within Kurtzs own voice and scribbled in margins. However, it is the voiceless words, the written words, the lies, and not the note scribbled by his own voice that Kurtz asks Marlow to preserve. By wanting to preserve his report, Kurtz acknowledges the power of written words. He knows that besides Marlows memory, writing is the only thing that can begin to immortalize him. But, perhaps, Kurtzs knowledge is meant to die along with his voice. Works Cited* Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness (London Penguin Books, 1995).