this is my first paragraph ;))))))))))

Sigmund Freud states the the “id” is the subconscious part of the human mind where all repressed, dark, and immoral thoughts are kept. The jungle, on the other hand, is very similar to the id in that it is a mysterious, yet primal place where there are no rules in place. Marlow’s journey through the jungle mirrors his psychological journey through his psyche. Conrad uses great imagery and diction to convey his images of the jungle while also reflecting Marlow’s journey through his mind: “An empty stream, a great silence, an impenetrable forest. The air was warm, thick, heavy, sluggish” (Conrad, 394). Conrad describes the forest as impenetrable much like the impervious nature of the id. The forest and id, are both filled with so much and both difficult to explore which creates this quality of inaccessibility. The id also represents a place where thoughts or memories deemed unacceptable by society are kept. Moreover the jungle directly connects to the id because it is such a primitive and uncivilized place. In the jungle, Marlow encounters inhumane beings such as the cannibals. Through his engagement with them, he learns that they are actually reasonable and self-disciplined. Without this experience, Marlow would not have gained a better understanding of who the cannibals really were. His experiences surpassed his preconceived notions that the cannibals were an uncivilized and vulgar people, thus proving that his journey into the jungle and id, made him a clearer and more tolerant thinker.

intro 'graph

The role of setting in stories is important in ingraining a deeper meaning and understanding to the plot as a whole. In Heart of Darkness, Conrad implements vivid imagery to create realistic scenes for the reader. These scenes also work to connote an alternate meaning, other than their literal definitions. Freud's division of the human psyche into the "id, ego, and superego," correlates directly to Marlow's journey through the jungle. The jungle represents a dark, mysterious, and primal place just as the id contains all of the repressed human memories and thoughts considered incorrect or immoral in society. So, as Marlow travels deeper in the forest, he is simultaneously traveling deeper into his subconscious searching for clarity which he ultimately finds in Kurtz.

idea for essay

I'm thinking about writing about the role of setting The Heart of Darkness. I want to look into how Marlow's journey into the jungle also represents his journey into his subconscious. The jungle plays an important role in the novela as it acts as the id, holding repressed thoughts and memories deep within its foliage.

murfin

I agree with Murfin's point about the connection between dreams and novels. He says, "we can live vicariously through romantic fictions much as we do in pleasant dreams." The vivid imagery in Heart of Darkness serves to immerse the reader in the world of Marlow. The language truly creates a realistic image in the reader's mind.

i see marlow as a ghost in my dreams sometimes...

^ th1s 1s the pr0bl3m w/ am3rica!!! u look up conrad and u get pictures of this reality show actress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The night was very clear"

Marlow exclaims this statement on page 419 which is paradoxical and contributes to the continuing contradicting factors in Marlow's speech. Usually, the day is said to be clear while the night sky is murky and cloudy. So Marlow's claim that the night is clear clearly contradicts the typical notion of the night being opaque.

marlow

Marlow's diction in Heart of Darkness truly makes the reader feel like he is a part of the story. For example, on page 407 Conrad writes, "It made me tingle with enthusiasm. This was the unbounded power of eloqunce." Conrad wants to the reader to live vicariously through Marlow and with his words of "tingle with enthusiasm," the reader gets a sense of the exact feeling that Marlow encountered.

conrad..marlow..darkness..heart -- Of.

The passage on page 394 that describes going up the river has such vivid imagery which, in effect, evokes detailed thoughts for the reader. "The air was warm, thick, heavy, sluggish. There was no joy in the brilliance of sunshine." Marlow creates a scene that makes the reader feel as though he is in the jungle with them. Moreover, the type of dense and heavy language used, reflects the jungle environment that they are traveling through. He uses as many elements as possible to create this sense of life in the wilderness.

conrad - heart of darkness

While at first, Marlow describes the events surrounding Fresleven's death as a "glorious affair," the details within his account suggest otherwise. First of all, his diction connotes a harsh tone, with the use of racial slurs. He casually uses this derogatory term which certainly does not represent anything glorious. Moreover, he also uses comical and sarcastic narration to describe the story which shows his insensitivity towards this man's death. The fact that he is sarcastic throughout his account shows that the reader should not have taken his description of the death as a "glorious affair" seriously in the first place.

(Unrelated picture of the band, Creed)

heart of darkness

Conrad demonstrates how the savagery is relative between England and Africa. We inherit an identity through our culture and the people around us as shown by the Marlow's colleagues and their views on maintaining their English identity. Moreover the English colonization of Africa is obviously more beneficial to the oppressor.