The Freudian Model in Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay -- Heart Darkne

The Freudian Model in Heart of Darkness In my essay I intend to prove Joseph Conrads use of the Freudian manakin of the human mind, as portrayed in his characterization of Marlowe, Kurtz, and the natural state. Further, using that model I will explicate Conrads ambiguous tone in Heart of Darkness. First, I must define each figure in Conrads novel with its assume Freudian psyche. These psyche are defined in an essay by Ross C. Murfins essay, Psychoanalytic Criticism in The Awakening the human mind is essentially threefold in nature. He called the predominately passional, irrational, unknown, and unconscious part of the psyche the id, or it. The ego, or I, was his term for the predominantly rational, logical, orderly, conscious part. Another aspect of the psyche, which he called the superego, is in truth a projection of the ego. The superego almost seems to be outside of the self, making moral judgements, telling us to make sacrifices for good causes even though self-sacrifice whitethorn not be quite logical or rational.(Murfin 219) We see the characteristics of Freuds id in the descriptions of Kurtzs savage actions as well as Marlowes analysis as to why he acted this way I want you to clearly understand that there was nothing exactly profitable in these heads being there. They only showed that Mr. Kurtz lacked restraint in the gladness of his various lusts, that there was something wanting in him-some small matter which when the pressing need arose, could not be found under his magnificent eloquence. Whether he knew of this inadequacy himself I cant say. I think the knowledge came to him at last-only at the very last. But the wilderness had found him out early, and had taken on him a terr... ...y the storage of gratified and monstrous passions. (Conrad 132) It is the connection between Kurtz, Marlowe and their inability to figure out the wilderness that we are left with Kurtzs chilling last words The horror. The horror. This quote is monumental beca use of it ambiguity. Conrad keeps the readers curiosity by having us searching for meaning in what the heart of darkness is. The feeling of eerie confusion we get from Kurtz and Marlowes fear and bewilderment of the wilderness is symbolic of the human minds inability to realize the unconscious. Conrad uses the wilderness as Marlowes symbol of the unconscious. Works Cited Murfin, Ross C.. Feminist Criticism and The Awakening. in Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. Boston Bedford Books, 1993. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness and The enigmatical Sharer. New York Signet Classic, 1997.