A Thought On Repression

Seven is a great thriller directed by David Fencher. It tells a story about two detectives chasing a serial killer. The serial killer kills people in the name of god and he applied the religious concept “the seven deadly sins” as his doctrine. The film depicts a repressive society full of violence and people regard apathy as a virtue. The film provides practical significance which is worth to look into. The film successfully illustrates the repression hanging over everyone in the society. The way of living in repressive civilization is vividly presented in the film.The film begins with death(a murder) and ends with death(the death of the serial killer) too. But it also shows the “rebirth” of detective, William Somerset. To understand how to live in repression, the analysis on the “rebirth” of Somerset is needed.This thesis discusses the formation of repression in terms of Freudian theory and Foucaultian theory. It comprises three chapters; the first chapter focuses on the formation of instinctual repression form a psychoanalytic perspective. The second chapter discusses the power relations posed on body. The last chapter provides two insights about man’s living under repression, namely the practice of sublimation and the emphasizes of humanity.