Abuse In John Bender's The Breakfast Club

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In The Breakfast Club, John Bender shows many signs similar to those discussed in the Psychoanalytic approach. For instance, Bender shows signs repressed memories and suppressed sexual thoughts. Bender finds it difficult to respect Vice Principal Vernon because of the physical abuse he endured from his father. The abuse he endured created a sense of disrespect for other men whom try to gain authority over him. The mental abuse within the Bender household gave Bender an excuse for not sympathizing with the other students. He does not care what they think or say about him.
After analyzing John Bender’s psyche, Sigmund Freud’s id, superego, and ego can better explain Bender’s behavior. The id identifies with pleasure. As for Bender, pleasure includes an adrenaline rush when doing something he considers dangerous or illegal. For instance, when hiding from Vernon, he hides under Claire’s desk and his desires took over when he place his face under her skirt in a sexual manner. He displays other adrenaline fueled acts when running through the halls to avoid Vernon, smoking marijuana, and escaping from his enclosure by crawling through the air ducts. The superego brings about a sense of right and wrong, such as when Bender takes …show more content…

Reaction formation goes beyond denial, it satisfies the id while keeping their true thoughts from the ego. Bender indefinitely is using reaction formation with Claire. He has convinced himself, or his ego, that he hates her. She is conceited and secretive and undeserving of anyone’s attention. Whereas in reality, he wants her attention. He has turned his hatred for her into love and begins to feel a connection. Yet, Bender also uses displacement towards Claire as well. He takes his problems out on her. His anger towards societal problems are turned onto Claire being the problem. She is one of the members of the conceited, wealthy, society that he so utterly

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