Kurtz's last words are as ambiguous as they are terrifying. “The horror! The horror! They may reveal a vision or simply an outcry caused by madness. Nevertheless, it is obvious that Kurtz has gone crazy. Oxford Dictionaries define insanity as “in a state of mind that prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction.” His deteriorating physical appearance radiates both illness and madness. Additionally, due to the lack of restraint, Kurtz assumes a god-like position as he takes over various African villages that worship him. Paradoxically, the Company's stated mission to civilize the natives turns into Kurtz's literal and figurative degeneration. However, it's definitely not as simple as "Kurtz goes to the jungle." Head on stick result. Conrad uses this as an extreme example of what happens to people when they are removed from their structured environment. Kurtz is an embodiment of madness who represents the effects of estrangement from society. One of the effects of living in nature is physical alteration. Kurtz is gravely ill by the time Marlow's steamboat is able to "rescue" him. Kurtz transforms into the very object he dreams of: ivory, with his bald, white head (Cox, 1974). It is clearly visualized to show his illness: above all an “animated image of death” (Guérard, 1986). His ribs and bones protrude from his decrepit body to emphasize his illness. The physical changes reflect the spiritual and psychological battle that Kurtz struggles with. Marlow's trip to Africa also led him to knock on death's door. Although physical illness eventually leaves Marlow, his soul is haunted by the horrible incidents he encounters. Without the constraints of society, the temptation exists to give in middle of paper...... m. (pp. 239-242). New York, NY: Norton & Company. Henrickson, Bruce. (1978). The Heart of Darkness and the Gnostic Myth. In Harold Bloom (Ed.) Modern Critical Interpretations. (pp. 45-55). New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers. Insane [Def. 1]. (nd). In Oxford Dictionaries. Retrieved December 30, 2013 from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/insane?q=insane.Singh, Frances B. (1988). The colonialist bias of Heart of Darkness. In Robert Kimbrough (Ed.) Heart of Darkness: An Authoritative Text on Backgrounds and Sources. (pp. 268-280). New York, NY: Norton & Company. Tessitore, John. (1980). Freud, Conrad and Heart of Darkness. In Harold Bloom (Ed.) Modern Critical Interpretations. (pp. 91-103). New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers. Watt, Ian. (1979). Conrad in the 19th century. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.