An Interpretation Of Reflections In A Golden Eye From The Perspective Of Freud Psychoanalysis

Carson McCullers (1917-1967) is a famous American woman writer in the 20th century. She left behind an impressive literary legacy: The Member of the Wedding, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, The Ballad of the Sad Caféand Reflections In A Golden Eye. McCullers'works are said to represent alienation, loneliness, lack of human communication and the failure of love. This thesis intends to employ Freud's theory and reevaluates the psychology states of three major characters in Reflections In A Golden Eye. It is divided into three parts:Part One is the introduction. This part presents the introduction to the author, lists the critical responses at home and abroad, and introduces the theories applied in the thesis. Part Two is the main body. This part consists of three chapters. Chapter One illustrates that being a representative of Freudian ego, Captain Penderton remains in the conflict between his wish of social perfection and his primitive impulses of stealing and homosexuality. His Narcissistic love for Private Williams turns out to be his own illusion, therefore his trying to gain a sense of belonging fails in despair and isolation. Chapter Two illustrates the representative of Freudian id: Private Williams, who fails in seeking love and satisfaction through voyeurism. It is inevitable for him to live in loneliness and despair trying to gain love and pleasure in such deviant way. Chapter Three presents the doomed tragedy of Alison Langdon, who suffers from Traumatic Neurosis Symptoms. Being a caged victim of marriage, she cannot get over the traumas of her lost baby and her husband's betrayal. Her tragedy lies in her dependence on her husband Major Morris Langdon both mentally and financially. Part Three is the conclusion. This part concludes that the three characters seek love and sense of belonging in deviant and twisted ways; therefore they will forever live in the state of isolation and despair.