Final answer:
Characters in 'Heart of Darkness' characterize Kurtz as admirable and successful, but their perspectives, influenced by imperialist ideologies, may not fully capture his moral character. Chinua Achebe's criticism provides a contrasting viewpoint that emphasizes the novel's Eurocentric perspective and the dehumanization of Africans.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Kurtz is a complex character whose traits are revealed indirectly through the conversations of others. From the accidental remarks and deliberate conversations of the accountant, brickmaker, manager, and the manager's uncle, Marlow begins to piece together a picture of Kurtz. Kurtz is often spoken of in awe for his success as an ivory agent and for his grand eloquence, but his reputation is overshadowed by the darker aspects of his character. The European characters' views on Kurtz and the exploitation and dehumanization of Africans suggest that the admiration for Kurtz is deeply connected to his effectiveness in the brutal, imperialist endeavour, not necessarily to his moral character.
Chinua Achebe's criticism in "An Image of Africa" emphasizes how the novel portrays Africa and Africans, contrasting with the European character's perspectives. The Eurocentric perspective of the novel reveals less about Kurtz's inherent qualities and more about the imperialist ideology that the characters, including Marlow, are imbued with. This disparity between the glorification of Kurtz and the reality of his actions in the context of colonial exploitation informs our understanding of him and suggests that the European characters' impressions of Kurtz are reflective of their own positions within the colonial enterprise rather than an objective assessment of his character.