Introductory Paragraph

Joseph Conrad’s "Heart of Darkness" is one man’s journey to discovering his true identity. Conrad chronicles the unusual happenings of the human psyche in his novella, through a very conflicted protagonist: Marlow. The narrator begins a personal psychological voyage, subsequently, investigating the basis of human nature. Conrad initially introduces Marlow as a man who is confused about his moral code: not fully accepting the imperial approach on how to civilize a country considered “savage,” while also believing that barbaric behavior must not triumph. Conrad uses this dilemma to tell a symbolic story that builds on the theories of psychoanalysis. The “id,” coined by famous psychologist Sigmund Freud, is the foundation of Marlow’s story. This raw and unpolished version of oneself hides beneath restrained actions and emotions, hereby referred to as the “ego.” To find this very unpredictable side of his mental faculties, Marlow chooses to take on a powerful introspection into his “darkness,” represented literally by the Congo. Though he desperately clings onto his moral beliefs, the narrator temporarily leaves behind his “light” (reason), represented by imperial British society. On this very long journey, Marlow’s stream of thought, the river, takes him into an uncertain place in an effort to understand his impulsive and immoral “id:” Kurtz. Firstly scrutinized by the accurate psycho-critical observations of Frederick Karl, Marlow’s interactions with Kurtz are ultimately reflective of the narrator’s own repressed desires. And thus, Kurtz is an undetected part of Marlow’s mental being. Marlow’s trek to the Congo contains many psychological symbols, representative of his unearthed relationship to Kurtz- the most mysterious sector of his mind: his continuous dithering between fascination and repulsion and the comprehended integration of his “id” into British societal morality.

Heart of Darkness Worksheet Question

2.) How does the city affect Marlow at the end of the story? How does what he learned in the jungle translate or fail to translate back to the modern world? Does he have more perspective than the city people? Or has he become unhinged by the jungle? Is he better adapted for living or worse? What is his psychological condition in the jungle vs. in the city? After his experiences, where is he better suited to live?

The city’s almost “righteous” ways compared to those of the Congo appear quite boring to the narrator. He has changed throughout the course of the trip mentally, thus giving him a different perception of what he thought was societal norm. The lie he tells Kurtz’s fiancée is very revealing about what he has learned in his psychological journey. While near the beginning of the book he says that he despises lies, by the end of it, he has learned to control his conscience significantly. Because of his experiences in the heart of darkness, Marlow’s perspective on life has definitely shifted in general and in regards to his moral code. Though he retains most of his morality, he realizes that not everything must be done politically but rather purely. Thus, we understand that Marlow has a better-rounded and well-informed perspective than the people in the city. He has seen chaos and darkness, which has given him a reason to either praise the city or dislike it. By seeing the worst part of life, one can understand and appreciate the best part of life. But in the narrator’s case, his fascination with the life of the “uncivilized” gives him mixed emotions and he is able to absorb many of the qualities that he previously disliked but now benefits from. Though his journey to the “id” is difficult and traumatizing, Marlow learns the importance of being raw. By unintentionally studying Kurtz, Marlow becomes more apt to conversation and behavior in the modern world. He learns that impulse is just as important as a well thought out plan. In the jungle, Marlow bounces back and forth quite a bit because of his psychological unsureness while his experiences in the city are quite different and straight-edged. The constant conflict in the narrator’s head only occurs when he is in the Congo because the area offers him such a new perspective on life and individual actions. This carries over by the end of the book into the city, however by this time, Marlow has unknowingly comprehended, accepted and clarified his thoughts and personality. The jungle is ironically what allows him to achieve this clarity of mind. Marlow is most definitely better suited to live in the city. The journey to the heart of darkness was simply for his study of what his mind really craves. After understanding this side of himself, he is able to return to the city and drop his moral guard quite a bit. Though morals are a good guidance for actions, Marlow realizes that he has been binded by them and the jungle offers him the opportunity to release himself from that bondage while still allows him keep the strength to not become completely “barbaric.”

Essay Idea(s)

Something I found very interesting about "Heart of Darkness was the relationship between Marlow and Kurtz on a psychological level. My current idea is investigating the role of Kurtz in Marlow's life and how the reader interprets such a relation. Kurtz represents the "id" of Marlow, for example his raw desires and unrestrained emotions with the absence of the ego or superego. While both characters signify two parts of human psychology, Conrad connects them with the reader by emphasizing the idea that every human being is naturally fascinated by the "id" which they do not realize they are repressing. As Marlow begins to find similarities between himself and Kurtz, he becomes infatuate. As the reader, following the story through Marlow's eyes, starts to connect with Kurtz also.

Heart of Darkness: psychological significance of the journey

Marlow's psychological journey throughout "Heart of Darkness" overshadows the story as a whole. The primary journey that Marlow is undergoing represents the process of discovering the "id" or unrestrained desires. The reader understands Kurtz's character from the perspective of the narration which furthers our comprehension of the psychological journey. Marlow's idealization of Kurtz is consequential to his fascination of the absence of the superego and ego. Furthermore, another aspect of Marlow's psychological journey is his difference in perception of the Congo. While his counterparts have conformed opinions of what "the heart of darkness" entails, Marlow seems to have a antithetical view, thus fueling his idealization of Kurtz's character. With his sarcastic tone and jokes, acting as a defense mechanism, the narrator exposes a journey of self-discovery, infatuation, and unsure beliefs.

Heart of Darkness, pg. 430, #6

Q: In paragraph 58, Marlow describes a painting Kurtz made of "a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a lighted torch." What message was Kurtz sending with this painting? At this point in the story, do you think Marlow would agree or disagree with this message? Why?

The woman in the painting seems to symbolize the role that London is playing in the story. The light torch represents their desire to spread civilization into Africa while the blindfold is representative of their ignorance in the process of doing so. The gender depicted in the painting might relate to the role of women in London's society as being subordinate to men. Kurtz's message seems to be in order to criticize London's intentions in their colonization and also in their societal norms. At this point in the story, I think Marlow would agree with this message because of his initial attitude towards the situation between London and Africa. His words in the beginning of the story are illustrative of his belief in somewhat of an equivalence between the past condition of London and the present of Africa.

Heart of Darkness, pg. 492, #2

Q: Why do you think Marlow begins his tale of a journey to the heart of darkness with an account of London in "very old times, when the Romans first came here" (para. 11)? What is the connection between London in Roman times and the English colonization of Africa?

Marlow's choice to speak of London's past in comparison to Africa's present is mainly to create a common ground for the two areas of inhabitance. This connection allows for the reader to focus on the similarities between the two nations, instead of the projected differences in regards to civilization. Marlow exposes the reality of London's past in that it too had experienced an era of darkness when finally the Romans changed that by bringing "light" to the situation, therefore clarifying London's similarities to Africa. Consequentially, Marlow seems to emphasize that the Londoners should not feel an air of superiority in association to the Africans. Ultimately, he goes to show that one's perception of London is only a result of what the Romans made of out it, otherwise it would be identical to the circumstances of Africa. This account sets up for the English colonization of Africa by laying out the facts of the perception of individual identity and social relations.