Language

Eloquent use of language is, in general, one of the ways out of madness (for Marlow, at least). Marlow sees Kurtz’s eloquence as one of his redeeming features. Language is also used as a human connection. When Marlow finds the harlequin’s book, he feels relieved because he can connect to something manmade. Marlow obviously places great value on language for he agonizes over whom to entrust with Kurtz’s personal letters. In light of this, one might consider Marlow’s telling of his story as a way to separate and differentiate himself from Kurtz, as a symbolic way of retaining his own individuality among the encroaching madness brought upon by the wilderness.