What impression do you form of the Chief Accountant at the company’s station in “Heart of Darkness?”
PremiumWhat impression do you form of the Chief Accountant at the company’s station in “Heart of Darkness?” [NU: 2018, 21] ★★★
Joseph Conrad’s (1857-1924) “Heart of Darkness” (1899) shows many strange characters. One of them is the Chief Accountant. Marlow meets him at the Outer Station. He looks neat and clean in the middle of death and misery. He gives us a sharp picture of the empire.
Neat Appearance in the Midst of Suffering: At the Outer Station, Marlow sees starving Africans dying in chains. But the Chief Accountant is dressed well. Marlow says he was,
His dress is shining like the sun, but his soul is dark like night. This shows a strange contrast. Around him is death, but he looks fine. His clothes symbolize the false beauty of the empire.“I met a white man,.......an unexpected elegance of get-up.”
Indifference to Human Suffering:
The First Mention of Kurtz: From the Chief Accountant, Marlow hears the name “Kurtz” for the first time. The accountant says Kurtz is,
“A very remarkable person.” The Chief Accountant is a symbol of the empire’s hypocrisy. He is neat in dress but empty in soul. He shows indifference to suffering. He values ivory and order, not life. Through him, Conrad shows the false mask of civilization.