Marlow lies at the end of Heart of Darkness because he wants to protect the image of Kurtz, the enigmatic ivory trader he has journeyed to Africa to meet.
Marlow's lie is subtle, but significant. He tells the Intended, Kurtz's fiancée, that Kurtz's final words were "The horror! The horror!" This is a distortion of what Kurtz actually said: "The horror! The horror!" Marlow omits the "I" from Kurtz's statement, changing the meaning from a personal confession to a general statement about the world.
By removing the "I," Marlow shields the Intended from the full extent of Kurtz's moral corruption and psychological deterioration. He wants to preserve the image of Kurtz that the Intended holds, a man of great intellect, ambition, and idealism. Marlow understands the devastating impact of knowing the truth about Kurtz's descent into madness, and he chooses to spare her that pain.
Marlow's lie also reflects his own complex feelings about Kurtz. He admires Kurtz's ambition and intellect, even while recognizing his flaws. He is haunted by Kurtz's final moments and feels a sense of responsibility for him. By lying to the Intended, Marlow is trying to protect both Kurtz's memory and his own conscience.
Marlow's lie raises questions about the nature of truth, morality, and the role of storytelling. It suggests that sometimes, lies are necessary to protect the innocent and preserve the integrity of a narrative.
