Lord of the Flies Psychoanalysis Essay Example
Lord of the Flies Psychoanalysis
In Lord of the Flies, the three main characters embody the different aspects of the human psyche although it may not be apparent at first. The three aspects of the human psyche consist of the Id, the part of the mind concerned with gratifying impulses; the Superego, the part that tries to control the Id and focus on responsibility; and the Ego, the conscious mind that balances the Id and the Superego. Each of the three main characters, Jack, Ralph, and Piggy, represent one of these aspects of the human psyche in Lord of the Flies through their actions and choices they make. Jack embodies the Id; only concerned with satisfying his impulses. For example, when Ralph mentions a fire Jack immediately says “Come on! Follow me!”(38). He spares no thought for the consequences of his actions. Jack gives no thought to the unfinished shelters that they desperately need. He has an obsession with killing a pig which eventually manifests into a “compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.”(51). He has a single-minded impulse and killing a pig would satisfy his impulse. When he finally makes his first kill he feels ecstatic. He says, “Look! We’ve killed a pig,” (69). His impulse became controlled for a bit until he went out to hunt again. After his next kill, Jack descended into savagery, to become ruled solely by his impulses. An example of his inhibitions would be when “The chief [Jack] led then, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses.” (168). After Jack attacks the camp to steal Piggy’s glasses, Ralph and Piggy realize that the last symbol of civilization, the conch, has become irrelevant to the others on the island. Piggy embodies the Superego; he focuses on responsibility. He attempts to control Jack, the Id, and keep him from surrendering to his impulses. For example, when Piggy says,
In Lord of the Flies, the three main characters embody the different aspects of the human psyche although it may not be apparent at first. The three aspects of the human psyche consist of the Id, the part of the mind concerned with gratifying impulses; the Superego, the part that tries to control the Id and focus on responsibility; and the Ego, the conscious mind that balances the Id and the Superego. Each of the three main characters, Jack, Ralph, and Piggy, represent one of these aspects of the human psyche in Lord of the Flies through their actions and choices they make. Jack embodies the Id; only concerned with satisfying his impulses. For example, when Ralph mentions a fire Jack immediately says “Come on! Follow me!”(38). He spares no thought for the consequences of his actions. Jack gives no thought to the unfinished shelters that they desperately need. He has an obsession with killing a pig which eventually manifests into a “compulsion to track down and kill that was swallowing him up.”(51). He has a single-minded impulse and killing a pig would satisfy his impulse. When he finally makes his first kill he feels ecstatic. He says, “Look! We’ve killed a pig,” (69). His impulse became controlled for a bit until he went out to hunt again. After his next kill, Jack descended into savagery, to become ruled solely by his impulses. An example of his inhibitions would be when “The chief [Jack] led then, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses.” (168). After Jack attacks the camp to steal Piggy’s glasses, Ralph and Piggy realize that the last symbol of civilization, the conch, has become irrelevant to the others on the island. Piggy embodies the Superego; he focuses on responsibility. He attempts to control Jack, the Id, and keep him from surrendering to his impulses. For example, when Piggy says,