HoD: 1st Body

As seen through the novel, acting upon the id seems to be the best means of survival as one travels deeper into the heart of Africa.  The id uncovers the true nature of characters by allowing them to act freely and upon instinct, which perfectly reflects life in the chaotic wilderness.  Kurtz is an ideal example of a refined, universal scholar that has turned native after journeying into Africa.  When spoken about by people residing in Europe, such as his fiancé and cousin, Kurtz was revered as a brilliant, humanitarian leader.  European society has laws and customs that dictate human behavior to be “proper,” by restraining the impulsive urges of men, which Kurtz had seemed to follow so closely to.  However, when he journeyed to Africa, a lawless land, where barbarious acts to Europeans seem cultural/spiritual to the natives, the consequential effect of the unrestrained environment allowed Kurtz to act impulsively, which altered his personality.  Kurtz’s superego no longer had any control over his thoughts as actions, as it did in Europe.  It also seems that as one travels deeper into Africa, from the outer station to the central and inner station, people become more insane and act brashly.  Marlowe’s journey, meetings with others, and his own mind seem to be the vehicle in which Conrad portrays the rise in insanity as one travels deeper into the “heart of darkness”. The accountant in the outer station and Marlowe seem to behave normally in the outer station.  At the Central station, the “men in charge” seem to be more corrupt and self-concerned, and Marlowe begins to become very impatient and mistrusting of others.  When the manager and Marlowe travel down the river to the Inner Station, they seem to be on edge, and Marlowe seems to hallucinate.  At the Inner Station, Marlowe meets Kurtz, who is in an extremely ill state and is on the path of madness.  Marlowe strangely admires this man and isolates himself from the rest of his crew by siding with Kurtz.  Conrad unmistakably alludes the reader how the environment plays a large role in  people’s mind.