Heart of Darkness Timeline

Heart of Darkness

The Death of Kurtz

Kurtz Station

The Inner Station

The Ambush

The steamboat begins its return to Civilization, as a day passes Kurtz calls for Marlow and hands him his personal papers and documents intrusting him with the resposiblilty to sustain his image. Four days pass and Kurtz dies, but before his death he proclaims, "the horror, the horror."

The Return

Upon arrival to Kurtz's station the steamboat is ambushed, panic strikes the steamboat the pilgrims run in terror. Marlow and the helmsman hide in the captain's pilot box. The helmsman reacts and attempts to fend off the attackers, but fails and is killed by a spear. Marlow secretly sympathizes over his death.

Marlow finally meets Kurtz, but sadly discovers the image he has painted of Kurtz is false. Kurtz is carried out as a bag of bones. Marlow discovers Kurtz is a normal man, and his fascination is dismantled. The evening before they are to leave, Marlow awakes around midnight, and finds that Kurtz is gone. For reasons he can’t explain, he takes it upon himself to go and find Kurtz. After all this was his opportunity to explore the wilderness. He finds Kurtz in the woods, not very far away. Kurtz attempts to convince Marlow to leave him and tells him of his dreams to be great. But Marlow isn't listening to Kurtz, and is instead fascinated by the wilderness. He thinks Kurtz is useless at this point; so he thinks of killing him right there in the woods but he instead picks him up and takes him back to the camp.

Marlow steers the steamboat into the inner station to refuel. On arrival he is greeted by the Russian, who is great friends with Kurtz. The Russian deepens Marlow's fascination with Kurtz. Marlow's inspiration to continue is fueled by Kurtz. Marlow admires Kurtz to such an extent, that he believes the reason he lives is to meet Kurtz.

Marlow returns to Brussels, but no longer lives a normal life. He lives with the constant reminder of evil. After some time he finds Kurtz's fiancee, and plans to give her Kurtz's personal papers.

Meeting My Intended

A year after Kurtz's death, Marlow discovers Kurtz fiancee grieving over his death. He witnesses her elegance, and pities her ignorance on Kurtz's reality. She begins to ask about Kurtz, and Marlow answers with lies. He sympathizes and reflexes on the darkness of the reality of Kurtz and how it would crush her. The last thing she asked Marlow was what were Kurtz’s last words. And he lies, he could not repeat the horrid truth. He instead, tells her that Kurtz called her name with his last breath. She instantly believes him. And the narration then ends.

Before the Journey

Aboard the Nellie

Central Station

The Company

Marlow pretends to be sleep, and instead eavesdrops on the manager and his uncle as they talk about Kurtz. He learns that Kurtz is very ill. The two see Kurtz as a threat, and hope he dies in the wilderness.

Moving along the River Thames the narrator begins to retell the travels of Marlow; as he traveled into the Heart of Africa.

The Journey to Kurtz's Station Begins

Marlow arrives at the station ready for his expedition, but sadly is held off, for his steamboat was in a terrible accident, his expedition was delayed 3 months. Although while at the station he comes across the name Kurtz. Kurtz is said to be the best of the Company.

The Company hires Marlow to navigate a steamboat into the Congo to retrieve Ivory. Marlow gladly excepts the position, because as a child he was fascinated with dangers of unknown lands.

Marlow's journey begins, he travels with the manager, the Brickmaker, and Pilgrims and cannibals. The calm silence frightens Marlow.