More to come... very rough draft...
Conrad intentionally symbolizes the wilderness of the jungle as a definite illusion for Marlow to truly find himself. Moreover, Conrad portrays Kurtz' soul, throughout Marlow's journey in Africa, as a reoccurring motif because it is the only way for Marlow to obtain his deepest self-awareness. Freud claims that symbols will reappear only if they are significant and that the unconscious mind converts, or disguises, impalpable, shameless mental contents: "I turned to the wilderness really… And for a moment it seemed to me as if I also was burred in a vast grave full on unspeakable secrets. I felt an intolerable weight oppressing my breast, the smell of the damp earth, the unseen presence of victorious corruption, the darkness of an impenetrable night" (Conrad 55). Although confronting Kurtz's spirit initially serves as Marlow's punishment, this realization leads him to apply it to himself; Marlow recognizes that Kurtz's malice indeed mirrors his own potential malice. In addition, Heart of Darkness is Marlow's own interpretation of his dreams; it is an image of reality. The mind is a strict representation of the real world, and Freud believes that there is nothing one does that is accidental or occurs by chance. To some degree, behavior, intuition, and contemplation is motivated by your unconscious, and through dreams, one is given the chance to capture a glimpse into one's id.
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