Minor Characters of the Novel Marlow And His Quest for Enlightenment

The Chief Accountant :

The Company’s chief accountant is the only person in Africa who is devoted to his work. He is seen always busy putting entries regarding the Company’s accounts behind a big log of books which were arranged in apple-pie order.

Other than this quality he is also distinct from others in retaining his appearance in a devastated country. Terming him a “vision”, Marlow is expressing his confusion about how can aperson be well dressed in a country where every thing is in chaos. Marlow accounts his physical outlook as a person with “high starched collar, white cuffs, a light alpaca jacket, snowy trousers, a clean necktie, and varnishes boots”.

Marlow notices that the chief accountant has no sympathy with poor people. A sick person was lying on a bed in his room and instead of taking care of him, the accountant used to express his anger saying that the groaningperson was distracting him from his work.

Because the chief accountant has no sympathy with the poor, Marlow calls him “a hair dresser’s dummy”. It means a person who is hollow from inside and lacks spiritual and moral strength.

The General Manager :

The character of General Manager can be a good example of European inefficiency. He is neither intelligent nor active but still holds the position of General Manager because he did not fall ill since last three years. For his professional responsibilities, he does not have any genius for organizing, for initiative, or for order even. What he does in Africa is only to maintain the routine work; nothing more.

Marlow terms him a “chattering idiot” for his non-stop speaking habit. The General Manager admires Mr. Kurtz on one hand, and plots against him on the other. He has made a plan to kill Harlequin, a subservient to Mr. Kurtz, to set him as an example for those who have been trading freely in Africa without paying tax. But practically he could not do anything. Therefore Marlow refers to his hollow intrigue as: “there was an air of plotting about that station, but nothing came of it, of course. It was as unreal as everything else”.

The Harlequin :

The Harlequin is a Russian sailor who wanders into the jungle in search of adventure. His clothes are made of a sturdy cloth but are patched numerous times with bright-colored fabric, which reminds Marlow of a traditional harlequin.

He has been working with Mr. Kurtz and is much impressed by the latter’s intellect. He thinks that Kurtz has enlarged his mind and made him see the realities of things. Therefore he is too much obliged to Mr. Kurtz.

He is too much loyal to Mr. Kurtz that he can’t see Kurtz’s atrocities. He, rather, tries to justify Kurtz’s brutal actions calling him a trader. In fact, he has lost a chance of enlightenment which he could have availed in the company of Mr. Kurtz. However, this man is important in the novel as he opens up various aspects of Kurtz’s personality. For example he confesses that Kurtz is like a shallow sound in reality.

The Brick Maker :

The Brick maker is one of the company workers at the central station. His duty was to make bricks but since the ingredients for brick making were not available in Africa, he became a spy for the General Manager. Marlow accounts on how he was leading a luxurious life which would not be in his reach if the General Manager had not supported him for his illegal services. So this person can also be regarded as an example of European inefficiency.

The Cannibals :

The cannibals are those natives who have been hired to run the steamboat off the sandbags. Marlow appreciates their ability to control their desires even when they were too hungry. Marlow’s description proves that the cannibals are more civilized than the Europeans.

The Eldorado Exploration Expedition :

The Eldorado Exploration Expedition is a big convoy led by the uncle of the General Manager. The members of the Expedition soon meet their destiny and all die in the severe darkness of wilderness.

The Fireman :

The Fireman is a native whom Marlow hires to run the boiler on his boat. Marlow describes the fireman as a savage individual who has been trained to tend the boiler

The Helmsman :

The helmsman is a native who steers Marlow’s steamboat. He was killed during an attack made by some natives upon the orders of Mr. Kurtz. Then Marlow deposits his body into the river.

The Intended :

The Intended is the name of Kurtz’s fiancée. This name tells us the possessive instinct of Kurtz. Instead of calling her by her real name Kurtz used to name her as “intended” (intended by Mr. Kurtz). She is a refined woman who remains faithful to Kurtz long after his death. Marlow visits her upon his return to Europe and gives her a small packet of letters written by Kurtz.