2. What is being moral?
Good and evil sharply contrast to raise
questions about the definitions of right and
wrong
3. Kurtz vs. the Manager and pilgrims
Manager and pilgrims use force and
mistreatment to get ivory
Kurtz elevates himself to a god-like status
among the natives and manipulates them
Is Kurtz’s method of obtaining ivory more or
less moral? Is one more evil than the other?
4. Lies to Kurtz’s “Intended”
Doesn’t mention his African mistress
Says that Kurtz’s last words were her name
Moral or not?
Moral: lying protects her from the painful reality
Upholds Marlowe’s idea that all women live in a
fantasy world
Immoral: As the Kurtz’s “Intended”, she has the
right to know exactly what happened, even if it
would break her out of her fantasy world
5. Heart of Darkness presents several moral
conflicts unresolved
Was Kurtz more evil than the company?
Was Marlowe immoral for lying?
The reader is left to judge
