Cultivation Of A Strong Ego-A Study On Vandover And The Brute From The Perspective Of Freud’s Personality Structure Theory

Vandover and the Brute is written by an American naturalistic novelist—Frank Norris. Although the novel hasn’t attracted much attention since its publication, Norris’s study on human degeneration in the novel is thought-provoking and significant. Some scholars believe that, in view of Zola’s influences on Norris, the degeneration of the hero in the novel results from animal instinct and atavism. The purpose of the study is, from the perspective of Freud’s personality structure theory, to delve into the root cause of Vandover’s tragedy and viable ways in which he could have saved himself. The study may help readers learn a lesson from the novel.Analyzed from the perspective of Freud’s personality structure theory, Vandover’s personality is deviant in which the id and the superego are in constant conflicts. Vandover fills the spiritual emptiness with debauchery instead of working hard to achieve the ideal of becoming a painter. His id is expanding excessively. At the same time, his superego rebukes him so severely that he suffers mental collapse and attempts suicide. His ego is too weak to keep a balance between the id and the superego. Driven by urges from the id, he repeatedly yields to temptations of sensual pleasures. At last, he gambles away all his estates and is reduced to a dustman. What’s more, overdevelopment of his id leads to the break-off of relationships between the hero and people around him. He is alienated from the circle of his former friends, especially from those that have exerted good influences on him. Vandover could have chances to adopt defense mechanisms to extricate him from a crisis. However, he gives up repressing the id, fails to identify with moral standards and abandons achieving sublimation by means of drawing. The tragedy arises.Through text analysis and application of Freud’s personality structure theory, this thesis tries to explore why Vandover falls into degeneration and what he could have done to save himself. The analysis suggests that Vandover’s unhealthy personality in which the ego is incapable of coordinating the id and the superego leads to his tragedy. This thesis argues that it is crucial for the hero to cultivate a strong ego by employing defense mechanisms, such as repression, identification and sublimation. Through such efforts, he can survive and develop in the materialistic society. It is hoped that this thesis can achieve a better understanding of Vandover and the Brute and its hero Vandover.