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Whether or not Marlow has a suppressing ego and super-ego is made unclear by his inconsistent behavior. When he arrives at the congo, he has morals and sensibility and therefore it is clear that his ego and super-ego are functioning. The ego and the super-ego use rationality to repress the id’s dark and instinctual thoughts. “And thus neither that fireman nor I had any time to peer into our creepy thoughts” (Conrad 45). Marlow is aware that he has the ability to think unnecessary thoughts, but Conrad’s use of “peer into” suggests that Marlow’s ego and super-ego may suppress them. Although Marlow can restrain his impulsive actions and think with rationality, his id may seep through and block his good intentions. When he has to chose between the “strong lusty, red-eyed devils” (Conrad 20), the cannibals and the “weak-eyed devil or rapacious and pitiless folly” (Conrad 20), the pilgrims, he “stood on this hillside” (Conrad 20)  and “foresaw that in the blinding sunshine of that land” (Conrad 20)  that “he would become acquainted with a flabby” (Conrad 20). He didn’t want to become weak. He used his heart to chose to be associated with the cannibals because they were true to themselves. But he also choses to be associated with people that eat one another. Allowing his super-ego to control the choice of a lifestyle that is true to what he believes in is controversial because, of the demoralization of mankind. 

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Since Kurtz is so selfish, it is clear that his ego and super ego have not matured to censor his id. When it comes to love, one of the strongest emotions one can feel, all parts of the mind should be involved. It is speculated that Kurtz has two women in his life. Marlow implies that when Kurtz returns from Africa he will marry one lover but while he is in Africa, he has “a wild and gorgeous apparition of a woman” (Conrad 74). Apparitions occur in one’s unconsciousness. Kurtz does not think about his fiance but only about pleasing himself. His hormonal impulses become action since there is no reason in him to stop. While feeling sexually secure is important to Kurtz, so is feeling powerfully secure. Despite humanity, Kurtz displays “shrunken heads” (Conrad **). These skulls are facing his bedroom and placed there to intimidate people that journey by. He doesn’t see the importance of people’s feelings or what society thinks about him. Instead of being worried about being judged by society his id allows him to inflate his confidence. The darkness of the skulls, his impulsive and selfish behavior illuminates his id. He is power hungry. With an ego and a super-ego, he would be able to hear his voice of reason and therefore, would not hurt as many people. Up until his last words “the horror, the horror” (Conrad **), Kurtz was a man of unrestrained darkness. Kurtz’ voice of reason is silenced by his id. 

Marlow info for paragraph

Thesis: Kertz' personality illuminates Freud's analysis of the human psyche and therefore causes the reader to question Marlow's true personality. 

"Strong lusty, read-eyed devils that swayed and drove men. I stoop on this hillside, I foresaw that in the blinding sunshine of that land I would become acquainted with a flabby, pretending, weak-eyed devil of rapacious and pitiless folly"  (20)

"I saw the time approaching when I would be left alone of the party of "unsound method." (82)

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As the only psyche present from birth, the id, appropriately, is responsible for unthought out thoughts. Usually, as humans develop, their minds mature with the rest of their bodies. The ego and the super-ego use rationality to repress the id’s dark and instinctual thoughts. “And thus neither that fireman nor I had any time to peer into our creepy thoughts” (Conrad 45). Marlow is aware that he has the ability to think unnecessary thoughts but Conrad’s use of “peer into” suggests that Marlow’s ego and super-ego are well functioning.  In society, unhappy thoughts are looked down upon. Therefore, humans attempt to subdue some of their thoughts. “Much of what lies in the unconscious mind has been put there by consciousness, which acts as a censor, driving underground, as it were, unconscious or conscious thoughts or instincts that is deems unacceptable” (Karl 114). While self-repression may appear as a unhealthy tactic, having no control over impulsive actions is a lot worst. 

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As the only psyche present from birth, the id is appropriately responsible for instinctual thoughts and actions. Since it is present from birth, like most traits, the id should develop into the ego and the super-ego.  The ego and super-ego produce rational thoughts and repress the thoughts that the id creates. Freud values the repression quality. While humans try to subdue their dark thoughts and impulses it can be hard. [I LEFT MY NOTES AT SCHOOL...THIS ISN'T GOOD!]

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Intro

In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Kertz, an ivory trader’s,  personality illuminates Sigmound Freud’s analysis of human flaws and causes Charles Marlow, an ivory transporter, to subconsciously reevaluate himself. Freud believes that there are three parts of the human psychic, the id, the ego and the super-ego. Kertz’ unattractive characteristics are rooted in the id. The id is the only personality trait present from birth. Usually, since it is also the center of uncoordinated and impulsive thoughts, most humans mature from the id and think with their ego and or super-ego which would allow them to make rational and beneficial decisions. Unfortunately, through out the novella it becomes more and more apparent that Kertz has not yet developed his thoughts through his ego or super-ego. His impulsive actions lead to Marlow subconsciously trying to better himself. Kertz is aware that some of the irrational decisions he makes harms the people around him, yet he continues to take them. Throughout the novella, as Kertz and Marlow journey on the Congo River, Freud’s belief in the id is illuminated through Kertz’s selfish actions.