Bachelor thesis | Film- en literatuurwetenschap (BA)
closed access
In deze scriptie wordt de game Silent Hill 2 (Konami 2001) geanalyseerd door middel van psychoanalyse. Door de psychoanalytische methode te gebruiken kunnen onderliggende elementen van de game...Show moreIn deze scriptie wordt de game Silent Hill 2 (Konami 2001) geanalyseerd door middel van psychoanalyse. Door de psychoanalytische methode te gebruiken kunnen onderliggende elementen van de game worden blootgelegd. Omdat psychoanalyse onlosmakelijk verbonden is aan de mens, zegt deze scriptie niet alleen iets over de wetenschappelijke potentie van games, maar ook over de werking van games op de speler. Daarnaast geeft Silent Hill 2 nieuwe inzichten in bestaande psychoanalytische theorieën. In deze scriptie zal de diepgewortelde binding met de avatar worden geanalyseerd en hoe het effect van onbeschrijfbaar trauma door een gevoel van onmacht voelbaar wordt bij de speler van Silent Hill 2.Show less
This thesis argues for the use of psychoanalysis in history-writing. It uses the example of Freud and Bulitt's biography on Woodrow Wilson. It focuses on their analysis of Wilson's failures during...Show moreThis thesis argues for the use of psychoanalysis in history-writing. It uses the example of Freud and Bulitt's biography on Woodrow Wilson. It focuses on their analysis of Wilson's failures during the peace negotiations at Versailles in 1919. This thesis compares this Wilson biography to other 'regular' biographies and argues that psychoanalysis is a valuable addition to history-writing.Show less
When Freud first began to publish his theories on the unconscious around the turn of the 20th century, this represented a revolution within the field of psychology. However, Freud was much indebted...Show moreWhen Freud first began to publish his theories on the unconscious around the turn of the 20th century, this represented a revolution within the field of psychology. However, Freud was much indebted to literature, in which the existence of the unconscious had been postulated for some time. This thesis follows the developing perception of the unconscious in 19th century literature as it corresponds to the development of the concept of the unconscious within psychology, from a source of fear and mystery associated with pathology, to an accepted element of the human psyche recognised within everyone. In addition, it examines how particular concepts within Freudian psychoanalysis can be identified in some of the literature preceding him. Thus, it shows how Freud's theories were anticipated by 19th century literature.Show less
This paper deals with the phenomenon of circumcision and how Freud and Derrida, respectively, viewed this rite. Freud viewed it quite negatively, while Derrida, on the other hand, viewed it in a...Show moreThis paper deals with the phenomenon of circumcision and how Freud and Derrida, respectively, viewed this rite. Freud viewed it quite negatively, while Derrida, on the other hand, viewed it in a much more positive way. Based on a number of primary and secondary sources, we will argue in favor of Derrida’s approach to circumcision, and thus, we will argue against Freud. This is not to say that we reject Freud. Rather, we acknowledge the immense and ongoing influence of the genius of Freud. Yet, we amend his views on circumcision, using Derrida, who, himself, was greatly inspired by Freud. Ultimately, we will argue that Freud’s (somewhat Hegelian) view on circumcision is too rigid. As we will see below, Derrida’s dynamic approach is much more useful in contemporary philosophical debate.Show less
A critical analysis of Charles Brockden Brown’s Wieland: or, The Transformation: An American Tale (1798) and James Hogg’s Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1824). Through...Show moreA critical analysis of Charles Brockden Brown’s Wieland: or, The Transformation: An American Tale (1798) and James Hogg’s Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1824). Through psychoanalytical and dialectic models, this thesis compares and contrasts Brown and Hogg's critique of religious fanaticism in two separate (British and American) contexts. The focus is on the Gothic trope 'the Double' used by both authors to unfold their criticism.Show less
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopia set in the near future. Written during the second wave of feminism (1985) it describes a country in which a fanatic Christian regime, The Republic of Gilead, has...Show moreThe Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopia set in the near future. Written during the second wave of feminism (1985) it describes a country in which a fanatic Christian regime, The Republic of Gilead, has seized power and has assigned the last remaining fertile women to high-ranking men with the sole purpose to reproduce. These women, including protagonist Offred, are called Handmaids. Her narrative of her oppressed situation and her memories of times before Gilead give the reader a view of what life in this regime may be like. The style of her narration provides a good view of the effect the regime has on Offred’s actions and thoughts. How does this manifest itself exactly? How and why does the regime affect her? Sigmund Freud, the forefather of modern psychology, created a theoretical framework to understand the functioning of the mind that is still implicitly influential today (even if it is often explicitly disowned). His theory makes many conjectures on how suppressed material, such as thoughts and wishes, become unconscious, and if unconscious how they may be retrieved and understood. The analysis of conscious and unconscious faculties of the mind, and the mind’s tripartite structure (ego, id and superego), underlie Freud’s master theory on the human psyche: psychoanalysis. Much of Freud’s grand theory is laid down in his dream theory. He believed that dreams were “the royal road to the unconscious” (Storr, Freud: A Very Short Introduction). This method can help to further grasp Freud’s theories on the mind. Discarded as Freud’s theories may be in psychology today, they remain influential in literary studies. Freud’s theoretical framework illuminates clearly the psychological workings of the Gilead regime, as exemplified particularly in Offred’s case. This thesis tries to understand at a psychological level how Offred functions within her society, and how she reacts to it. Therefore, like Freud would analyse a patient, this thesis will analyse Offred and her surroundings. The aim is not to simply identify Freudian elements, such as anality, orality, denial etc, but to show how these underlie an understanding of Offred, and of the novel as a whole. An analysis such as this creates and understanding of Offred’s narration and narrative, making her tale more narratable. This thesis will therefore explore The Handmaid’s Tale in a Freudian context.Show less
