Even though Conrad would not have been able to know Freud’s studies when he published Heart of Darkness, many of Freud’s beliefs are displayed in Conrad’s work because Conrad was able to write an accurate account of what life is like when there are no boundaries or rules. Through Kurtz’s fiancée, Kurtz is explained as a very civilized and kind loving man; however, when Marlow encounters Kurtz in the heart of darkness, Marlow is originally taken aback by how savage and native Kurtz seems: “I saw on that ivory face the expression of somber pride, of ruthless power, of craven terror — of an intense and hopeless despair” (Conrad 422). After being surrounded by darkness, lawlessness, freedom, Kurtz began to revert back to his primitive behavior of lusting for power. Conrad’s description of Kurtz reverting back to his primitive self is identical to that of Freud who argued that in a lawless situation, humans will always turn to their strongest emotions which are the yearn for sex and power. Furthermore Murfin discusses Freud’s belief in the double mind: “He (Freud) called the predominantly pasional, 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” (Murfin 114). While Conrad could not have know Freud’s writing, the way Conrad discusses the ID and the conscience without naming them but instead describing them is masterful. Furthermore, the fact that Conrad explains how someone is civilized only so long as they are governed but as soon as they leave a safe environment the ID takes over is the true masterpiece in Heart of Darkness.
No comments:
Post a Comment