From the time of the Victorian Era, theorists have analyzed the mind and how it works. Many consider Sigmund Freud the father of psychology. According to Freudian theory, humans are controlled by three personalities throughout life; the id, ego, and super ego. However, we are not born with all three. Instead, “we are born with our id” (“Structural Model”). At the age of three, the second part of the unconscious mind, the ego, is developed. Later, when the child is five, or ending his or her phallic stage of development, the super ego structure is developed (“Structural Development”). Using psychoanalytic theory, we are able to analyze many modern day texts. Throughout the novels Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (hereafter referred to as B: DKR) by Frank Miller and Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, the main characters have similar and different characteristics. Through their novels, we see the main characters from Batman: Dark Knight Returns and Shutter Island specifically, Bruce Wayne and Teddy Williams respectively, living their everyday lives while dealing with struggles, hardships, and prosperity. Thus, this essay analyzes the lives of the character from both modern texts using Sigmund Freud’s concept of the id, ego, and super ego.
The id is in the unconscious part of the mind and is also known as our primitive instincts that “seek satisfaction in accordance with the Pleasure Principle” (“Id”). Furthermore, “(t)he Pleasure Principle states that people see pleasure and avoid pain” (“Pleasure Principle”). As a newborn, the id (our initial structure of our personality) thinks in an animalist, manner not caring for anything other than its personal satisfaction (“Id, Ego, and Super-ego”). For example, when a baby is hungry or needs...
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...ehane’s Shutter Island, it is noted that both books deal with the two very complex lives of Bruce Wayne as Batman and Teddy Daniels the U.S Marshal respectively and how they manage on a day to day basis. Therefore, this essay analyzes the characters from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Shutter Island using Freud’s concept of the id, ego, and super ego.
Works Cited
• “Id, Ego, and Super Ego.” Wikipedia. n.p, n.d. Web. 13 Dec 2010.
• Lehane, Dennis. Shutter Island. New York: HarperCollins Publisher, 2003. Print,
• Miller, Frank, and Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. New
York: D.C Comics, 2002. Print.
• “Pleasure Principle.” Wikipedia. n.p, n.d. Web. 13 Dec 2010.
• “Reality Principle.” Wikipedia. n.p, n.d. Web. 13 Dec 2010.
• “Structural Development.” Allpsych. n.p, 23 Sept 2002. Web. 13 Dec 2010.
An individual’s mental well being can greatly affect their character and the way they perceive things. In the novels The Kite Runner and A Separate Peace, the protagonists are boys who are infested by internal conflicts such as insecurities and emotions. In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, a boy lets his dad negatively affect his character, causing him to treat those around him in a cynical manner. Likewise, a boy from John Knowles’ A Separate Peace bases his character on whom he wishes to be, letting his unhealthy mental state consume him. Hence, explored through both novels, is how a person’s internal conflicts can lead to their downfall, whether as a result of their struggle with identity or their feelings towards others.
The id drives our actions, the superego withholds our actions, and the ego is an equalizer between the two. Some studies of Freud can be paralleled to Bernard in one simple question: why did you do that? This question is answered through the unknown or unconscious of characters. Bernard expresses his unknown desires through his self contempt, his ability to focus on small detail unlike his peers, and his sudden boasting in pride.
When this story is viewed through Sigmund Freud’s “psychoanalytic lens” the novel reveals itself as much more than just another gory war novel. According to Sigmund Freud psychology there are three parts of the mind that control a person’s actions which are the id, ego, and superego. Psychoanalysis states that there are three parts of the human mind, both conscious and subconscious, that control a person’s actions. The Id, ego, and
Print "Id, Ego, Superego, and the Unconscious in Psychology 101 at AllPsychOnline. " Psychology Classroom at AllPsych Online. 21 Mar. 2004. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard' of the 'Standard' of the Web.
The short story “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright, has many important aspects that can be observed. Richard Wright expresses, the importance of knowing one’s identity. Seventeen year old Dave refers to himself as “almost a man”; he thinks that if he buys a gun everyone in town will also see him as a man (Wright 366). In the story, the focus is placed on Dave, the main character, he struggles to discover who he is and his life’s purpose. Dave seeks to find himself through the relationship with his family and racialcultural criticism he faces in his hometown.
Freud, S., & Strachey, J. (19621960). The Ego and the Super-ego. The ego and the id (pp. 19-20). New York: Norton.
The story “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson conveys the theme of duality in nature in which man is fighting himself, or in this case, another version of himself. Being a psychology major, it is interesting to see a case this serious over how an alter ego can control the main psyche up to the point where it no longer conveys influence, but instead manipulation. In order to understand the control an alter ego can eventually have on the individual, it is important to comprehend exactly what an alter ego is and how an individual can lose dominance over it.
A quick glance at Life of Pi and a reader may take away the idea that it is an easy read and a novel full of imagination, but take a Freudian view on the work and it transforms into a representation of the human psyche. Martel’s novel takes the reader on a journey with Pi as he struggles for his own survival. Pi experiences a breakdown of each component that makes up ones personality according to Freud throughout the novel. One by one id, ego and super ego both express a huge factor in Pi’s choices and emotions throughout his story. The readers are also introduced to an alternate ending to choose from. This alternate ending plays a key role in understanding how to view the novel through Freudian lenses. Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis clarifies many troubling issues raised in the novel Life of Pi.
When comics were first coming out, they were not all that popular but in todays’ world, they have become very popular and well known. Several of these comics have been turned into films, which is one of the many reasons why the popularity has been rising over the years. One of the most well known comics is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. This comic was composed and released in 1986 by Frank Miller. With the usage of Frank Miller’s powerful, intense lines and the artwork done by Klaus Janson’s and Lynn Varley’s it has elevated this comic up to the very top of mainstream comics. In Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, the skillful illustrations on the pages successfully create the thought that there are underlying meanings, which makes the atmosphere a very intense one throughout the comic. The work of art that is presented on the pages in this comic are embedded in such a way that the pages become the continuum for the meaning. One of the main themes that are imbedded on the pages through the artwork in this book is the ideological struggle between Bruce Wayne and Batman.
Freud, Sigmund, and James Strachey. The Ego and the Id. New York: Norton, 1989. Print
With an impressive repertoire of movies, books, TV shows, comics, and exclusive memorabilia; the Batman has gained world recognized fame and has played an iconic role for the DC universe. Unlike his other crime fighting colleagues such as Superman or the Flash, Batman the alter ego of billionaire Bruce Wayne does not possess any superhuman powers but instead relies on what DC refers to as his “physical prowess” and “technical ingenuity” (Origins). Perhaps one can consider the vast wealth of Mr. Wayne his true power but in a conjured world packed with villains and other heroes Batman relies perhaps the most important tool a hero can have, his mind. Managing two identities in secrecy Bruce Wayne shows in a sense the power each average individual
In his novel A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway transfers his own emotional burdens of World War I to his characters. Although considered to be fiction, the plot and characters of Hemingway’s novel directly resembled his own life and experience, creating a parallel between the characters in the novel and his experiences. Hemingway used his characters to not only to express the dangers of war, but to cope and release tension from his traumatic experiences and express the contradictions within the human mind. Hemingway’s use of personal experiences in his novel represents Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory regarding Hemingway’s anxieties and the strength and dependency that his consciousness has over his unconsciousness. Freud’s Psychoanalytical Theory of Personality states the Superego as being the part of personality that is most conscious, holds moral standards, develops senses of right and wrong and suppresses any urges or desires that are considered unacceptable (McLeod).
“Psychological - or more strictly speaking, psychoanalytic -investigation shows that the deepest essence of human nature, which are similar in all men and which aim at the satisfaction of certain needs... [are] self-preservation, aggression, need for love, and the impulse to attain pleasure and avoid pain...” At its simplest form, this quote perfectly explains Sigmund Freud’s theory on human nature. Human beings, according to Freud, are in a constant state of conflict within themselves; trying to satisfy their animalistic instincts, while also maintaining a socially appropriate life. Freud termed these animalistic tendencies that we have, the Id. The Id is essentially our unconscious mind, it is the part of us that has been there since the day we were born and is what drives our life’s needs and desires. The Id simply aims to satisfy our sexual or aggressive urges immediately, without taking into account any further implications. On the other hand, Freud used the term, the Superego, to describe man’s conscience and sense of morality. It is the Superego’s job to keep the Id in check by combatting the desire to satisfy urges with the feeling of guilt or anxiety. Finally, the Ego, is the conscious representation of the constant battle between the Superego and the Id. It must work to satisfy human’s instinctual tendencies while taking into account their conscience and doing what is rational and acceptable. Freud argues that these internal process that are constantly at work in our mind are what shape humans to do the things that they do. Thus, he believes, the goal of human nature is to satisfy our basic aggressive and sexual desires while adhering to cultural and social standards.
Humanity is defined by one major factor: one’s understating of the self. By understanding one’s self, one can understand society and the world that surrounds themselves. There is one thing that can often distort one’s personality, one’s identity. By identifying as one thing a person can often change how they act or do certain things. This is often found to hide one’s true motives or intention, but it can also be used to hide hidden factors that aren’t as prevalent. One’s personality and identity are very closely linked, and tend to play off one another. This fact can be show in within multiple works. To name a few authors who demonstrate this fact: Clifford Geertz, Horace Miner, and Andrei Toom. Their works seek to dive deeper
The first feature, the id, feature of personality is the most common and everlasting element that exists since birth. It is completely unconsciousness and consists of natural and original behavior. As it is the main element of personality, id is considered the main source of psychic energy. According to Freud id is compelled by pleasure principle, which attempts for immediate satisfaction of desires and needs. It will result in a state of anxiety or strain if the needs are not satisfied immediately. Secondly, the ego is a component of personality in charge of dealing with reality. As stated by Freud, the ego progresses from Id and confirms the desires of the id, articulated in an acceptable manner in real life. The main function of ego is to handle conscious, preconscious and unconscious mind. It helps to satisfy needs of id in a socially suitable way. Besides, it supports to release tension with assistance of a process where an object found in reality is created by id’s p...