Freud and Heart of Darkness (Conrad) PRESENTATION

Freud and the novel Heart of darkness can be directly connected through that darkness mentioned in the novel's title. Freud firmly believes that man has a dark, and evil side, and this so called darkness is brought up throughout the novel as a major theme. Freud claims this 'dark' side of man is driven by the urge to dominate, survive, or succeed. He illustrates this idea as something that cannot be just stopped or prevented, as it is basically inevitable.


Darkness is a theme right away in the novel, making a connection to Freud's idea that man naturally has a dark side: Marlow says, "And this also has been one of the dark places of the earth"; Already, on page 6 of the novel, we see the theme of darkness illustrated. Although it doesnt exactly capture Freud's philosophy and view on man, a connection can still be made; Marlow claims this has been a very dark place for man, and Freud sees a natural evil or dark side in man's nature. Readers can already see the dark nature that Freud illustrates  in the setting that Marlow sets.


Another  key example in which Freud's philosophy is embodied in Heart of Darkness: The slavery in Africa. The way that the africans are treated connects to Freud's view that man's dark side urges him to express power and dominance.