The Return of the Primal Father: A Comparative Freudian Reading of Two Novels

Against common postcolonial and historical readings, this article argues that the rise of primitive urge to dominate exploit others is what drives Kurtz Mustafa Sa’eed, two main characters in Joseph Conrad’s Heart Darkness (1902) Tayeb Salih's Season Migration North (1966), respectively, act as primal fathers thus commit violence on others. Adopting Freud’s theory primal-horde notions like “hypnosis” “suggestion,” reveals universal theme father disguised an imperial mask novels under discussion. The recurrence manifest narcissistic, paranoid, sexually rapacious yet apparently gifted who Nietzschean “superman.” It then sheds light infectious germ reactivated narrators novels, i.e. form rival Oedipal sons Charlie Marlow anonymous narrator North. Each (Oedipal son) identifies with respective protagonist (primal father), both are fascinated repelled by such affinity. This study attempt justify prevalent darkness haunting human psyche arguing primitivism recurs history world cultures. Though it can lay dormant, ready resurface anytime among uncivilized or even “the civilized” claim white man’s burden. Therefore, provides essential psychoanalytic comparative intervention understand underlying motivations behind imperialism master/slave power relations..