In Heart of Darkness, what is significant about this quote? "The word "ivory" hung in the air. You would think they were praying to it."

Everything that is happening in the Congo stems from the
ivory trade. I believe this passage comes toward the end of the story in talking about
Kurtz and his compound. Kurtz has fallen victim to the ivory trade. It has taken over
his life and his greed for it has overpowered him so much so that he has people praying
to it for him and with him. Kurtz was smart enough to be able to brainwash the natives
into working for him, but he was unable to self-regulate and therefore, everything that
is at his compound is geared toward the ivory. Marlow, on the other hand, didn't come to
the Congo to get ivory, so he can keep his mindset based in reality. He was sent to save
Kurtz and bring him back, but he finds that that is impossible.