By definition of Dictionary.com, the id is “the part of the psyche, residing in the unconscious, that is the source of instinctive impulses that seek satisfaction in accordance with the pleasure principle and are modified by the ego and the superego before they are given overt expression.” The id is the only part of our personality that is present at birth. “The id is based on our pleasure principle (which is the idea that needs should be met immediately.); the id ‘wants whatever feels good at the time, with no consideration for the reality of the situation.’ ” (Heffner, “Freud’s Structural and Topographical Model.”). An example of the use of our id is when a newborn is hungry. When a newborn is hungry the id wants food, therefore the newborn cries. The child cries until their needs are met, but the child doesn’t care about their parents’ wishes. This example can conclude that our id is an important part of our personality, especially when we are newborns, because it allows us to get our basic needs met. This is an important concept because “the id is totally unconscious, while the ego and superego straddle both sides of the iceberg and therefore operate both consciously and unconsciously.” (60)
The Id can strongly relate to Kurtz’s character through his basic traits of greed and violence. Kurtz is a power-hungry tyrant that won’t let anything get in his way from obtaining and establishing a higher authority. Kurtz discovers this dominant side of himself in an environment that has no social constraints; Kurtz sets the social status quo because he is the white man. This opportunity Kurtz has highlights the negative aspect of the unconscious mind; therefore, Kurtz establishes the status quo of the Africans around the Central Stations, without knowing that his brutality and violence is wrong. Throughout Kurtz’s time in the Central Station, his Id gradually becomes too strong and leaves him always wanting more ivory/power. This consumption forces Kurtz to descend into madness, and ultimately leading to his death.