Casebook Home | Twelve Winters Miscellany
Symbols and Their Roles in Harry Gale’s Psyche
Naeem Abbas
Ted Morrissey’s “Vox Humana” presents Harry Gale as a character grappling with the psychological scars of his military service and unresolved issues rooted in his past. Through the lens of Freudian psychoanalytic criticism, this analysis explores Harry’s struggles with identity, repression, and his fragmented self, as seen in his interactions, behaviors, and inner conflicts. By investigating elements such as Harry’s id, ego, and superego, as well as symbols and dream-like experiences within the text, this essay seeks to understand the deeper layers of his psyche.
Harry’s Traits and Their Revelation
Harry is introduced as an untalkative, introspective figure whose attitude hints at a psychological burden. His “thin” frame and clothing “like hand-me-downs” symbolize his diminished sense of self after Korea. His tendency to fixate on mundane acts—such as observing his cigarette reflects his fragmented attention and possibly a defense mechanism against intrusive thoughts.
The narrator reveals Harry’s background as a “quiet, bookish boy” who found solace in stories. This childhood affinity for words evolved into his role as a military transcriber, a task that simultaneously sheltered and consumed him. His retreat into language indicates an overreliance on intellectualization, a defense mechanism to cope with the horrors of war.
Evidence of the Id, Ego, and Superego
Freud’s structural model of the psyche provides insight into Harry’s internal conflict:
The Id: Harry’s id manifests in his impulsive decision to leave home at the end. His inability to stay in one place reflects a yearning for freedom and escape from emotional entanglements, such as his sister Annette’s dependency. The story ends with Harry deciding to leave the village. This decision reflects his restless search for meaning and his struggle to escape his inner pain. Freud’s concept of the “death drive” can explain this urge to avoid life’s challenges.
The Superego: This is evident in Harry’s guilt and sense of obligation, as seen when he considers his sister’s needs and her abandonment by her husband, Tim. His unease at the welcome-home party also demonstrates his internalized societal pressures to conform and express gratitude, even when it conflicts with his true feelings. Harry’s experiences in the Korean War have left him deeply scarred. He hears voices in his mind, which he calls the “Greek chorus.” These voices symbolize his guilt and buried memories of the war
The Ego: Harry’s ego strives for balance by engaging in small, manageable routines, such as smoking or reading poetry. These activities provide temporary stability amidst his psychological chaos. Harry uses ways to protect himself emotionally. For example, writing on the typewriter is Harry’s way to feel some control and peace, but it isn’t enough to fully heal him.
Symbols and Their Role in Harry’s Psyche
Several symbols in “Vox Humana” deepen the reader’s understanding of Harry’s struggles:
- The Typewriter: Harry’s damaged Olympia typewriter, which saved him from injury during the war, symbolizes his fragmented identity and the weight of his past. The typewriter’s mechanical flaws parallel his mental scars, yet it also served as a shield, illustrating his reliance on language for survival. Harry’s typewriter, battered and damaged from the war, mirrors his own mind. It shows the marks left by his traumatic experiences. Writing on the typewriter was Harry’s way to feel some control and peace, but it wasn’t enough to fully heal him.
- The Chorus: He hears voices in his mind, which he calls the “Greek chorus.” These voices symbolize his guilt and buried memories of the war. During the war, Harry worked as a scribe, writing down the stories of others. This job helped him escape his own painful reality for a while, but it also connected him to the horrors of war. The “Greek chorus” of Korean faces that haunt Harry’s consciousness represents his suppressed trauma and guilt. These voices speak “fragments of images” and disrupt his reality, reflecting a fractured psyche unable to reconcile past experiences.
- Poetry: Harry’s attachment to Sandburg’s Chicago Poems underscores his search for meaning. Poetry momentarily silences the “whispering” of his internal chorus, highlighting his desire for clarity and coherence amidst inner turmoil. When Harry writes his poem “The Human Voice,” it marks a turning point. Writing allows him to organize his chaotic thoughts and express his feelings. It’s a step toward healing, showing how creativity can help people process their emotions.
Childhood Experiences and Adult Conflicts
Harry’s relationship with his family shapes his adult behavior. Growing up with “distant” parents who were “dutiful but not doting” likely left him with unresolved feelings of inadequacy and a fear of intimacy. This detachment is mirrored in his lack of emotional engagement with Annette and his avoidance of discussing Tim’s absence.
Moreover, his fixation on mythology and stories during childhood suggests a longing for escapism and heroism, qualities that contrast sharply with the disillusionment of war. His fascination with “The Tale of the Old Man with No Legs” illustrates his subconscious identification with the protagonist’s isolation and survival against overwhelming odds.
Flashbacks and Nightmares
Harry’s flashbacks to Korea exemplify Freud’s theory of traumatic repetition, where individuals involuntarily relive distressing events. These flashbacks, coupled with the persistent “Greek chorus,” highlight his inability to escape his memories. His panic attack in the grocery store, triggered by sensory stimuli such as thunder and the scent of pickles, illustrates the intrusive nature of trauma.
Defense Mechanism
Projection and Isolation Harry exhibits defense mechanisms to cope with his trauma. Harry projects his internal chaos onto his surroundings, describing the village as wearing a “disquieting mask.” This metaphor reflects his perception of a distorted reality, shaped by his inability to reconcile his wartime experiences with civilian life. Harry isolates himself emotionally, avoiding meaningful interactions. His reluctance to engage in conversations with Annette or inquire about her estranged husband, Tim, underscores his fear of intimacy. Freud’s theory of isolation suggests that individuals compartmentalize their emotions to protect themselves from overwhelming feelings.
Harry’s Final Decision
Harry’s decision to leave at the end of the story can be viewed as both a rejection of societal expectations and an act of self-preservation. He recognizes that staying would mean conforming to the roles imposed on him, such as being a supportive brother or a village war hero. By choosing solitude, Harry confronts his fragmented identity, though his departure also suggests unresolved conflict and an inability to fully integrate his experiences.
Through psychoanalytic criticism, Harry emerges as a deeply conflicted character shaped by trauma, guilt, and an unfulfilled search for identity. Symbols such as the typewriter, poetry, and the chorus illuminate his fragmented psyche, while Freudian and Lacanian theories reveal the underlying forces driving his behavior. Ultimately, “Vox Humana” portrays Harry’s struggle not as one with external enemies, but with the internal battle for coherence and meaning in the face of profound loss.
▪ ▪ ▪
Naeem Abbas is a passionate and diligent BS English student at NUML, currently in the final semester of his academic journey. With a deep love for literature, he has dedicated himself to exploring the vast world of literary texts, critical theories, and creative writing. His keen analytical skills allow him to interpret complex themes and ideas, while his commitment to academic excellence has shaped him into a thoughtful and articulate scholar. Beyond coursework, he takes a strong interest in classical and contemporary literature, appreciating how words have the power to shape societies and inspire change. His enthusiasm for literary discussions, research, and writing reflects a deep intellectual curiosity and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the field. As he nears graduation, he looks forward to applying his knowledge and skills in ways that make a lasting impact, whether through writing, teaching, or further academic pursuits.
Twelve Winters 