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.