Character list · 7 characters

Heart of Darkness characters

by Joseph Conrad, 1899

The main characters of Heart of Darkness, who they are and what they do in the story.

Marlow

protagonist

Marlow is a sailor and the narrator of the story. He is introspective and philosophical, and his journey into the Congo serves as a journey into the human soul.

Kurtz

antagonist

Kurtz is an ivory trader who has become a powerful and enigmatic figure in the Congo. His descent into madness and moral corruption highlights the darkness within humanity.

The Manager

supporting

The Manager oversees the Central Station. He is efficient but lacks any moral compass, representing the bureaucratic and exploitative nature of colonialism.

The Russian

supporting

The Russian is a disciple of Kurtz who admires him greatly. He is naive and represents the blind devotion some have towards charismatic leaders.

Kurtz's Intended

supporting

Kurtz's fiancée remains in Europe, unaware of his moral decline. She represents the idealized view of European civilization.

The Brickmaker

supporting

The Brickmaker is an ambitious and sycophantic employee at the Central Station. He is more interested in advancing his career than in making bricks.

The Chief Accountant

supporting

The Chief Accountant is a meticulously dressed man who maintains his appearance despite the chaos around him. He symbolizes the surface-level order amidst underlying disorder.

Meet them in the book

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