Sigmund Freud used his system of the unconscious and the conscious to further explain how people think and analyze the events around them and the decisions they make by creating the concept of primary and secondary processes. The primary process is represented by the unconscious and the secondary process is represented by the conscious. The primary process is the unfiltered, raw thoughts or decisions one makes. The secondary process is the reasonable, more logical thoughts and actions. The primary process “seeks immediate gratification” while the secondary process circumvents this and presents a “more satisfying conclusion” (Silverman 67). In Sonya Hartnett’s Surrender, the reader is presented with two protagonists who each present their own …show more content…
Of the duo, Finnigan is the embodiment of the primary process. He is a rash and irrational person. He chooses to continue living his wild lifestyle, without his parents or any rules and dictates. Finnigan is first described as a “hyena” and a “gypsy boy” (Hartnett 11-12). He “roams unhindered through the valley and town, the midnight raider of kitchens, the sleeper-in-woolsheds, the bareback horse-rider, the bather in rushing streams” (Hartnett 10). Essentially, Finnigan is wild and unpredictable. He goes where he wants to, with no one to check on him or catch him when he is committing the arsons. Even though both characters are written from a first person perspective, Gabriel’s chapters include more narration and are longer while Finnigan’s chapters are shorter and feature more exposition on his present actions and unfiltered feelings. These chapters mostly focus on what Finnigan is thinking about at that exact moment, whereas Gabriel’s chapters recap past events as well as his illness in the present. It is in Gabriel’s chapters that the reader learns about Gabriel and Finnigan’s pact. The pact holds that Finnigan will “do the bad things for you” and Gabriel will be “an angel” (Hartnett 37). Knowing Gabriel cannot freely live his life without the abuse and humiliation from his parents and the town, Finnigan decides to set houses and buildings on fire to exact revenge on Gabriel’s behalf. At first, Gabriel reluctantly approves of his actions but soon sees that Finnigan is dangerous. When the primary process is “blocked in its movement toward one object, it will redirect its energies toward another” (Silverman 68). In this case, Finnigan’s energies are redirected to Surrender, who he cites as his influence to stop the fires. Like Finnigan, Surrender is a free and wild dog. Their similar personalities suit each other better than
...s Processes For Psychoanalytic Theory.” Psychoanalytic Review 100.6 (2013: 881-917. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 April 2014.
Psychoanalysis is a unique form of psychological treatment founded by Sigmund Freud and later modified by his followers including Alfred Adler, Carl Jung, and Harry Stack-Sullivan (Wedding & Corsini, 2013). Although there is no one psychoanalytic theory Wedding and Corsini (2013) tell us that there are basic principles that tend to be found throughout different psychoanalytic perspectives. They note that psychodynamic perspectives emphasize ideas of the unconscious and the ability to increase choice by facilitating an awareness of unconscious motivations. Psychodynamic perspectives tend to focus on the client’s use of defense mechanisms like projection, reaction formation, splitting, intellectualization, repression, transference, and resistance as a way of avoiding painful fantasies, feelings, and thoughts (Wedding & Corsini, 2013). Such perspectives embrace the assumption that people are ambivalent about change and emphasize the importance of exploring that ambivalence (Wedding & Corsini, 2013). In addition, the therapeutic relationship is viewed as a vehicle of change; one that can be used for exploring both unconscious (primary) and conscious (secondary) self-defeating processes and actions (Wedding & Corsini, 2013). Transference and countertransference are viewed as essential therapeutic tools (Wedding & Corsini, 2013). Psyc...
The first basis of Freud 's belief system was found in the existence of the personal unconscious. The mind is a substance that incorporates much more than the simple conscious component. The unconscious component is the much larger than the
Primarily, one of the dominant and fundamental theoretical variances concerning Freud and Jung’s personality theories was that relating to their opposing notions regarding the unconscious human mind. Firstly, Freud understood that the centre of ones inhibited beliefs and distressing recollections was found in the unconscious mind. Freud stated that the human mind focuses on three constructs: namely the id, the ego and the super ego. He claimed that the id shaped ones unconscious energy. Freud said that it is not limited by ethics and morals, but as an alternative simply aims to fulfil ones desires. The id strives to keep with the “pleasure principle, which can be understood as a demand to take care of needs immediately.” (Boere) The next unconscious
This theory is not only credible in literature, to discuss the intentions of an author, but is also effectively used in film, to discuss the intentions of a director. One benefit of this theory is that it can help with many literary problems. For example, Freudian critics not only “stress distinction between the conscious and the unconscious”, but also uncover “the unconscious motives of characters” as well as see “an embodiment of classic psychoanalytic conditions” within literary works (Barry 101). By drawing connections between concepts in the text, we are able to further enrich our understanding of the work and, if we plan to discuss it with others, are able to yield a meaningful, coherent interpretation of the
I chose to write about Only Daughter by Sandra Cisneros because I am the only daughter of three children. Therefore, I can relate to this essay because I constantly strive to make my father proud in everything that I do, along with feeling as though I am alone and not understood by my family. My father is constantly in the back of my mind so whatever I do revolves around how I know he would feel about it. Due to this I am more studious when it comes to my education because I know that he will be more supportive the better that I do. Without my dad I would not have come this far in what I have accomplished because I would not have had to prove myself to anyone. Being the first born and the only girl, my parents and family many times do not know how to handle how I feel or what I enjoy because I am more studious out of my entire family. Because of this I
In Freud’s theory of social determinism he splits the mind into three parts and he named them the id, the ego, and the superego. The id is the part of the mind that has been with us since birth, it is impulsive and seeks immediate gratification and it acts on its biological instincts. This part of of the mind resides in the unconscious. The superego overflows with guilt whenever we don’t follow through with social standards. These standards are set by our parents, society, and organized religions;it develops when we are held responsible for our actions and understands that there will always be a consequence for every “ bad” action. Lastly, the ego the ego is in between the impulsive and the calculated. The ego is the conscious state of mind,
Eagle, M.N. (1987). The psychoanalytic and the cognitive unconscious. In R. Stern (Ed.). Theories of the unconscious and theories of the self (pp.159-189). Hillside, N.J.: Analytic Press Inc.
Sigmund Freud known to be the father of Psychoanalysis , contributed a large deal of this research on the construct of the unconscious mind. Freud valued the effect that the id, ego and superego had on a pe...
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
Freud, S., Strachey, J., Freud, A., Rothgeb, C., & Richards, A. (1953). The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (1st ed.). London: Hogarth Press.
Freud states that the personality develops in a series of stages. On the same hand, if we resolve our conflicts that arise during our life as they happen, then psychological problems in the future will not occur. That what we believe are spur of the moment decisions etc. are really influenced by the unconscious.
Freud's theory of psychoanalysis, however, does have its problems. One of its drawbacks is that it is based on the assumption that repressed conflicts and impulses do in fact exist. Today this assumption is being challenged, and is provoking intense debate.
Sigmund Freud is best known for his development and use of psychoanalysis. The theory of psychoanalysis focuses on the concept of how our unconscious thoughts, feelings, and emotions play an active role in our daily lives. The id, ego, and superego are the three mental zones that encompass our psyche. Each zone has a specific function: The id functions on the pleasure principle; the ego on the protection of the individual; and the superego on protection of society. The degree of which each zone has been developed can be broken down and then analyzed. These three zones can be visualized by imagining a pie cut into three slices.
Freud's often-controversial psychoanalysis was an attempt to explain the human psyche (mind) which is comprised of three components: the id, ego, and superego; and the conflict between these components shaped personality (Swanson, 1963, p. 14-16). He believed the ego is responsive to the id that developed at infancy. He also believed that defense mechanisms are unconsciously adopted to protect the ego from anxiety. He was convinced that anxiety was used to warn the ego of potential threats. He focused on internally held forces, including conflicts, biological dispositions, and sexual motivation for his theories (Macintyre, 1963, p. 98-99). He sought to address underlying issues in a person's life, and personal cha...