In Joseph Conrad's, Heart of Darkness, the unusual Russian seems to have been thrown into the story for no significant purpose except for being Marlows broadcaster and Kurts palace fool. In this book the Russian is an odd character. He seems to pop out of nowhere and he just happens to have so much knowledge of Kurts himself. .
This Russian, where did he come in the picture? First off he warned Marlow and his crew about an upcoming attack. He obviously wanted them to take Kurts to a place where he could recover. The Russians role in this book is complicating to uncover. According to critique Burgess he is a friend of the author (248). The Russian serves as a messenger; someone to fill in for lost time. We have to remember that nothing has been heard or received from Kurts in the last nine months, so the Russian updates Marlow about Kurts place in the native world and all the changes he has undergone (Burgess 249). The Russian tries to prepare Marlow for what he is about to encounter. He also give him the insight that Kurts is a highly respected man that way he wont show any lack of respect which could in turn lead to his termination. For instance, when Marlow asked the Russian if he talked to Kurts he replied by saying " You don't talk with that man - you listen to him-(Conrad 49). This really emphasizes Kurt's influence on the natives.
The Russian is also viewed as a fool in a royal court (Burgess 250). When Marlow see the Russian for the first time he is jumping up and down shouting " Its all right" (Conrad 48). Marlow said, " he looked like he had escaped from a troop of mimes" (Conrad 48). His clothes were all patched up with every bright color you can imagine, just like a clowns costume would be portrayed. According to Burgess all he needs to make this costume complete are the funny hat and the bells (249). " He is perfectly drawn in the trappings of the Fool, the royal jester, the court buffoon" (burgess 249).
