Comparing Jungian Psychology And Conrad's Heart Of Darkness

Drawing the parallels between Jungian psychology and Conrad’s novella leads to the discussion of its relevance to Marlow; moreover, as aforementioned, Marlow’s journey in the interior of the Congo transposes into and facilitates his personal individuation, which as Jungian psychology contends, is an important factor in achieving homeostasis in one’s psyche. Failure to do so can lead to the manifestation of the shadow in the physical realm, which oftentimes presents negative consequences. In Marlow’s case, his shadow is personified by Kurtz; additionally, Jungian psychology contends that one ought to confront their shadow in order to actualize it and become enlightened. The amalgamation of this Jungian principle and Kurtz’s embodiment of everything Marlow detests including greed and lack of humanity leads to the

Marlow recalls the “natural aversion [he] had to beat that shadow” (Conrad 84), alluding to Kurtz and acknowledging the fact that Kurtz represents his inner shadow. Additionally, he refers to Kurtz as a “wandering and tormented thing” (Conrad 84) which illustrates the empathy he holds for Kurtz. Conversely, he also holds a pugnacious attitude that is characterized by his desire to kill Kurtz. Marlow recalls how he had “some vague notion of falling upon [Kurtz] and giving him a drubbing” (Conrad 83), reinforcing the dichotomy that exists in Marlow’s psyche regarding Kurtz. By virtue of this dichotomy, it becomes important to realize the influence of such dichotomies in the psyche. Moreover, Jungian psychology contends that a tension of opposites exists within one’s psyche, and that creates a figurative “storm” within one self that can contribute to the heightening of the potency of one’s shadow. As such, Marlow’s ambivalent feelings towards Kurtz illustrates the diametrically opposed psyche he struggles