Final answer:
Kurtz collecting rare gems in the Congo is a false statement; in 'Heart of Darkness,' he is associated with ivory trade, not gem collection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Kurtz collected rare gems in the Congo is false. Kurtz is a fictional character from Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness, which deals with the European colonization of the Congo, exploitation of its people, and extraction of its natural resources, such as ivory and rubber.
The setting of the book reflects the atrocities committed in the Congo under King Leopold II's reign, where the real focus was the exploitation of resources for personal enrichment. The collection of rare gems was not specifically mentioned as part of Kurtz's activities in the Congo within the story.