A Freudian Analysis of Characters in "Heart of Darkness" and "Lord of the Flies"

Introduction

In Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," the human psyche is examined in the context of the id, ego, and superego, as conceptualized by Sigmund Freud. These literary works delve into the transformation of characters when they are removed from the constraints of society and placed in unfamiliar and primitive environments. Marlow, Kurtz, and the boys from "Lord of the Flies" serve as prime examples of how the human mind can shift and adapt, ultimately revealing the innate darkness that resides within us all.

Marlow's Descent into the Id

In "Heart of Darkness," Marlow embarks on a perilous journey up the Congo River, gradually adapting to the savage jungle environment that surrounds him. As he immerses himself in this untamed world, Marlow begins to cast aside the societal norms and values that once governed his actions. This transformation signifies the erosion of his ego and superego, giving way to the dominance of the id, characterized by the "pleasure principle" as defined by Freud.

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Marlow's journey becomes a metaphorical descent into the earliest recesses of human nature, a place where the id reigns supreme. His statement, "Going up that river was like traveling back to the earliest beginnings of the world," underscores the idea that as he delves deeper into the heart of darkness, he confronts the inherent malevolence that resides within mankind (HOD 105). With each step up the river, Marlow's super ego wanes, mirroring the fading presence of authority, society, and civilized behavior in his life.

Consequently, the boundaries between right and wrong blur, allowing the intrinsic wickedness of humanity to surface.

This shift in Marlow's psychological makeup is evident when he threatens, "but if you try to shout I'll smash your head with...I will throttle you for good" (HOD 148). Such words reveal his increasing detachment from societal norms, marking the transition from a civilized (superego-driven) individual to a more primitive, savage state (id-dominated). Marlow's encounter with Kurtz, a man who has completely shed the constraints of his ego and superego, serves as a poignant example of how society's influence can be forgotten entirely.

Kurtz, isolated in the African wilderness and wielding immense power over the natives, descends into moral depravity, condoning acts as horrific as cannibalism and human sacrifice. His final words, "The horror! The horror!" (HOD 154), capture the depth of his realization and terror regarding his own descent into savagery. This disturbing transformation underscores the idea that the displacement from society, which provided a moral compass, led to the revelation of the innate evil within individuals like Marlow and Kurtz. The unchecked id created an imbalance within their "psychological selves," facilitating the emergence of their intrinsic malevolence.

The Boys' Regression in "Lord of the Flies"

In William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," a group of boys finds themselves stranded on an uninhabited island, far removed from the structure and authority of civilization. In their quest for survival, they are initially orderly and establish a system of governance that mirrors their superego-driven society. However, as they grapple with the harsh realities of their newfound environment, their behavior gradually devolves into a more primal, id-driven state.

The shift from civilization to savagery is exemplified when the boys callously disregard Piggy's burn wound while playing a savage game: "They bumped Piggy, who was burnt and yelled and danced. Immediately, Ralph and the crowd of boys were united and relieved by a storm of laughter" (LOTF 149). This incident illustrates the profound change in the boys as they harm Piggy due to their careless, savage behavior, without a hint of remorse or apology.

The ultimate revelation of their transformation occurs when they are rescued by a naval officer. One of the boys, Percival, is so altered by his time on the island that he cannot even recall his own name. This metamorphosis of the choirboys, who were initially well-behaved, into savage beings who commit violence against each other further validates Marlow's assertion that the human mind is capable of great darkness. In this context, the boys represent a collective id, as they succumb to their primitive instincts when society's restraints are removed.

Additionally, within the framework of Freud's psychodynamic principles, Jack embodies the id with his insatiable desire to hunt and kill, reflecting the death drive. Ralph, on the other hand, represents the ego, attempting to balance his desires with the needs of the group while maintaining a connection to reality. Piggy, serving as the group's moral conscience, embodies the superego, upholding the principles that the boys have forsaken. Together, these characters illustrate Freud's theories in action within the microcosm of the island.

The Human Psyche Unveiled

Both "Heart of Darkness" and "Lord of the Flies" illuminate the transformation of characters from civilized individuals capable of balancing their id, ego, and superego, into savage beings driven by their primal instincts. The absence of societal constraints and the presence of a primitive environment serve as catalysts, unearthing the inherent darkness within each character.

Freud's understanding of the human psyche emphasizes that much of our experiences, emotions, beliefs, and impulses remain hidden in our unconscious. These choirboys and sophisticated Europeans could not have foreseen their descent into savagery when they set out on their respective journeys. The powerful unconscious id took control of many of these characters, but upon their return to society, they sought to restore their previous equilibrium.

Conclusion

In "Heart of Darkness" and "Lord of the Flies," Marlow, Kurtz, and the boys undergo profound transformations, their psyches shifting from a state of balance between id, ego, and superego to a chaotic dominance of the id. These narratives serve as cautionary tales, revealing the innate capacity for darkness that resides within the human psyche when stripped of the trappings of civilization.

The characters in both novels reflect Freud's theories on the human psyche, illustrating how the removal of societal pressures and the introduction of primitive environments can disrupt the delicate equilibrium within one's "psychological self." As Marlow, Kurtz, and the boys descend into the depths of their ids, the intrinsic evil that resides within all human beings becomes increasingly apparent. These literary works remind us that the human mind is a complex and fragile entity, capable of both great goodness and profound darkness, depending on the circumstances in which it finds itself.