Final answer:
In Heart of Darkness, Marlow's response to Kurtz reveals several motifs in the novel, including his emphasis on lack of restraint and hollow eloquence. Marlow's feelings about Kurtz and the manager change throughout the story, with a mix of pity and contempt. As the journey progresses, Marlow becomes disillusioned and morally ambiguous.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness, Marlow's response to Kurtz reveals several motifs in the novel. One of these motifs is Marlow's emphasis on his lack of restraint and his hollow core despite his eloquence. This is connected to the motif of darkness and the corrupting influence of the Congo, as Marlow struggles to maintain his humanity in the face of the darkness around him.
In terms of Marlow's feelings about Kurtz and the manager, his attitude changes throughout the novel. Initially, he is intrigued and admires Kurtz, considering him a genius. However, as the journey progresses, Marlow begins to see the darkness within Kurtz and becomes disillusioned with him. As for the manager, Marlow is suspicious of his motives and sees him as a symbol of the corrupting influence of colonization.
By the time they begin the journey back down the river, Marlow feels a mix of pity and contempt for both Kurtz and the manager. He sees them both as products of the colonial system, with Kurtz succumbing to the darkness and the manager representing the hypocrisy and greed of the Europeans. As the journey progresses, Marlow's feelings intensify, and he is ultimately left with a sense of disillusionment and moral ambiguity.