Casebook Home | Twelve Winters Miscellany
Family Dynamics, the Oedipal Complex,
War Trauma and Freud’s Tripartite Model
Irfana Bulbul
Psychoanalytic criticism, rooted in the theories of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, often delves into the unconscious motivations of characters and the psychological conflicts that drive the narrative. Let’s apply this theory to the short story “Vox Humana” by Ted Morrissey. This approach will explore the unconscious desires, conflicts, and psychological dynamics of the principal characters, Harry and Annette, who are brother and sister.
The experiences in the Korean War have deeply affected the psyche of Harry Gale. His prolonged silence and the depiction of him studying a cigarette when waiting for Annette to pick him up at a bus station hint at his need to process the trauma he has endured. The war has left him in a state of psychological turmoil, with his return to civilian life marked by a struggle to find normalcy and a sense of self. His quietness, described as “taciturnity,” reflects his internal struggle and a possible defense mechanism to avoid confronting his traumatic experiences.
Moreover, his feelings of guilt about not contributing enough, financially and otherwise, while staying with Annette reflect an internal conflict. He is burdened by the weight of his war experiences and his sense of inadequacy in civilian life. His reluctance to discuss his brother-in-law Tim’s absence with Annette reveals his fear of being overwhelmed by additional emotional burdens. This avoidance can be seen as a defense mechanism, specifically repression, where he pushes away thoughts that are too painful to confront.
Furthermore, his increasing uneasiness as the day of his welcome-home party approaches reflects his deep-seated discomfort and alienation. His sentiment that the village no longer feels like home highlights his estrangement and lack of harmony between his internal world and his external environment. The line that comes to him—”The village had donned a disquieting mask”—suggests a sense of inauthenticity and foreboding, aligning with his perception of the village as a place that has changed in ways he cannot recognize.
The vivid imagery and emotional intensity of the tale resonate with Harry’s own inner turmoil. The harrowing experiences of the old man with no legs and the giant’s brutality (from a folktale Harry heard in Korea, during the war) parallel Harry’s encounters with the horrors of war. The tale serves as a projection of Harry’s unconscious fears and unresolved trauma, where the monstrous figures and acts of violence symbolize the psychological battles he continues to fight.
Harry’s recognition of the Korean tale’s similarities to the stories of Odysseus and Sinbad suggests an unconscious identification with these legendary figures. Like Odysseus and Sinbad, Harry is on a journey fraught with peril and uncertainty. The act of transcribing these stories allowed him to immerse himself in the lives of others, serving as a temporary refuge from his own trauma. This identification with the role of the storyteller or the transcriber highlights his subconscious need to find meaning and coherence in his fragmented experiences.
Harry’s drama-esque soliloquy, directed at the reader/audience, reveals the sense of detachment and ambivalence that Harry feels towards his neighbors. His description of them as ghosts underscores his perception of being haunted by his past. The imagery of seeds and soil reflects his uncertainty about his future and his potential for growth. The chorus, functioning as a Greek chorus, provides insight into his thoughts and emotions, emphasizing the weight of his internal conflicts and his sense of obligation towards Annette.
The interactions with various village figures, including Pastor Phillips, Jim Goodpath, and Carl Reynolds, underscore the social expectations placed on Harry. The recurring questions about his return and future plans highlight the pressure to conform and reintegrate into the community. The reference to the village feeling like a funeral reflects Harry’s perception of the event as a superficial gathering, masking deeper issues and unaddressed traumas.
In addition, his impulsive decision to leave for Crawford, facilitated by Beth Ann, the school librarian and a former quasi-girlfriend, represents his need to escape the overwhelming expectations and emotional burdens of the village. His reluctance to inform Annette about his plan to leave town directly highlights his internal conflict and the guilt associated with abandoning his sister. This decision reflects his ongoing struggle between the desire for self-preservation and the sense of duty towards family.
The avoidance of conversation and preference for solitude by Harry can be seen as repression, a defense mechanism where distressing thoughts are pushed out of conscious awareness. His fixation on transcribing the stories of others during the war provided him with an escape, a way to immerse himself in the lives of others rather than confront his own fears and traumas. The act of smoking and the meticulous observation of the cigarette signify a need to control and understand his fragmented reality.
His decision to walk to the grocery store to restock essentials is an attempt to regain a sense of control and normalcy. The physical act of shopping and carrying the wicker basket, a familiar object from his past, provides a temporary distraction from his internal turmoil. However, his subsequent panic attack demonstrates the fragility of these coping mechanisms and the persistence of his underlying anxiety.
The discovery that reading helps to calm the choral voices in his mind reflects the defense mechanism. By immersing himself in complex literature, he distracts himself from the haunting voices and memories of war. The intricate sentence structures and obscure vocabulary serve to distance him from his traumatic experiences, providing a temporary reprieve from the chaos of his thoughts.
Harry’s turn to writing poetry serves as a powerful coping mechanism. The process of crafting a poem allows him to channel his chaotic thoughts and emotions into a structured and controlled form. This act of creation offers him a sense of mastery over his internal turmoil, temporarily silencing the choral voices that plague him. The imagery of dikes, causeways, and dams in his writing symbolizes his efforts to contain and manage the flood of his subconscious mind.
Psychoanalytic criticism of the character Annette
Annette’s thoughts reveal her internal conflict and unconscious desires. Her concerns about Tim’s happiness and her own role in contributing or not contributing to it point to an underlying anxiety about inadequacy and self-worth. She feels nagged by the possibility that her cooking, a traditional measure of a wife’s competency in her community, might have contributed to Tim’s unhappiness and departure. This reflects her deep-seated fear of failing in her domestic role and her desire for validation.
Her thoughts about her parents and their distant, duty-bound parenting style reveal her own struggles with feelings of neglect and the need for emotional connection. Her desire to host a welcome-home party for Harry can be seen as an attempt to fill the emotional void left by her parents and to create a sense of community and belonging. This reflects her unconscious desire for familial harmony and validation.
Her interaction with Beth Ann Ferguson reflects her concern about social appearances and the fear of judgment by her peers. Her determination to ensure Beth Ann’s attendance at the welcome-home party indicates her desire to gain social validation and support for Harry. The lies exchanged during Annette and Beth Ann’s conversation in the school library underscore the superficial nature of their social interactions and the unspoken tensions that lie beneath the surface.
Annette’s reaction to Tim’s departure is complex. While she experiences profound relief, she is simultaneously plagued by guilt. This juxtaposition of emotions can be analyzed through the lens of psychoanalytic theory. Her relief indicates a release from the oppressive dynamics of her marriage, where Tim’s constant discontent acted like the eagle torturing Prometheus. However, her guilt and self-questioning suggest that she has internalized societal expectations about how she should feel and behave as a deserted wife. This internal conflict between relief and guilt is a manifestation of her struggle with the superego, which embodies societal norms and morals.
She employs several defense mechanisms to cope with her situation. Rationalization is evident when she reassures herself that Tim’s happiness was beyond her influence. This helps her to mitigate the guilt she feels. Denial is another mechanism at play when she questions whether she should feel devastated, weepy, or lonely, even though she does not. By examining these emotions as if specimens in a zoo, she distances herself from them, reducing their immediate impact on her psyche.
Her preparation for the welcome-home party reveals her ongoing struggle to maintain social appearances and support her brother. The banner, the cake, and the notices reflect her attempts to create a sense of community and celebration, despite the underlying tensions and unresolved emotions. Her determination to host the party contrasts with Harry’s reluctance, highlighting their differing approaches to coping with their shared past and current uncertainties.
Family dynamics and the Oedipal Complex
The relationship between Harry and Annette, as well as the absence of Tim, introduces the complexities of family dynamics. Annette’s role as the caretaker for Harry could suggest a substitute maternal figure, triggering unconscious feelings rooted in the Oedipal complex. Harry’s lack of inquiry about Tim may indicate unresolved feelings or a subconscious rivalry, reflecting Freud’s theory where the male child feels a sense of competition with the father figure (or in this case, a brother-in-law figure).
The relationship dynamics between Annette and Harry are marked by unspoken tensions and the pressure to maintain appearances. Annette’s hesitation to talk about Tim’s absence with Harry and her thoughts about whether Harry has noticed it reveal her anxiety about confronting uncomfortable truths. This reflects the repressive nature of their family dynamics, where difficult topics are avoided rather than addressed openly. The effort to create a semblance of normality, such as Harry using Annette’s nickname, Netta, underscores the undercurrent of forced conformity to familial roles.
The brief mention of Harry and Annette’s parents’ distant and duty-bound nature highlights the unresolved family trauma that continues to influence their adult lives. Their parents’ emotional aloofness and early deaths left Harry and Annette with a sense of abandonment and a lack of emotional support. Annette’s recollection of her mother’s morbid preoccupation with death underscores the pervasive sense of loss and longing that shapes her and Harry’s psychological landscape.
Through this psychoanalytic lens, we uncover the deep-seated psychological conflicts and defense mechanisms that drive the characters’ actions and interactions in “Vox Humana.”
Symbolism and dream analysis based on Freud’s theories
The symbolism in Harry’s actions and the setting provides insight into his unconscious mind. The image of Harry observing his cigarette can be interpreted as a representation of his attempts to control his anxiety and find clarity in his turbulent mental state. The arrival of autumn, with leaves falling and the approach of winter, symbolizes a period of transition and decay, mirroring Harry’s psychological state. The book he chooses, Carl Sandburg’s Chicago Poems, and his focus on the war poems specifically, reflect his subconscious need to find solace and understanding through literature that resonates with his own experiences.
Recurring dreams of Korean faces speaking to Harry signify the intrusion of his subconscious mind into his waking life. These dreams, populated by faces he assigned to the voices in the transcripts he typed, represent the haunting memories of his war experiences. The “Greek chorus” of voices in his psyche suggests a collective manifestation of his repressed guilt, trauma, and the unresolved stories he carried from the war. This continuous background noise in his mind suggests his struggle to find peace and clarity amid the chaos of his thoughts.
The wicker basket symbolizes the mundane routines of domestic life and the attempt to maintain normalcy amid chaos. Harry’s hurried walk to the grocery store, his discomfort with the storm, and the young woman working the counter whom he doesn’t recognize all contribute to his sense of alienation and displacement. The store, a place where everyone knows everyone, becomes a site of unfamiliarity and anxiety for Harry, highlighting his struggle to reintegrate into a community that has moved on without him.
The collection of New England ghost stories and Sandburg’s poems hold symbolic significance for Harry. The ghost stories, with their complex narratives, act as a buffer against the persistent murmuring of the Korean “chorus,” highlighting Harry’s need for mental engagement to stave off his psychological distress. Sandburg’s poems, particularly “The Great Hunt,” offer moments of peace and introspection. The poem’s themes of seeking and solitary journeys resonate with Harry’s own quest for meaning and understanding amidst his isolation.
Beth Ann’s appearance during the party adds another layer to Harry’s psychological landscape. Her presence, initially mistaken for that of a child because of her petiteness, suggests a sense of innocence and the potential for reconnection. The faint aura around her, as perceived by Harry, symbolizes a glimmer of hope and possibility amidst his bleak outlook. Her interaction with Harry, including the accidental gift of the Sandburg book, signifies a moment of shared understanding and support.
The Underwood typewriter in Annette’s home represents a link to Harry’s past and his identity as a transcriber during the war. Its calming effect on him underscores the therapeutic value of familiar routines and objects in managing anxiety. The act of typing transforms his handwritten chaos into a coherent draft, mirroring his attempt to bring order to his psychological disarray. The final act of placing the poem inside Sandburg’s Chicago Poems signifies his integration of personal expression with established literary tradition.
Freud’s tripartite model
Harry’s actions and internal conflicts can be analyzed through Freud’s structural model of the psyche: the id, ego, and superego. Harry’s id, representing his primal desires and fears, manifests in his compulsive need to smoke and his struggle to find peace. His ego, the rational part that mediates between the id and reality, is evident in his attempts to conform to societal expectations, such as arriving at the bus terminal and trying to engage in small talk. The superego, representing internalized societal norms and morals, is reflected in his sense of duty and his adherence to military discipline, even though it has left him emotionally scarred.
His id, driven by his basic instincts and desires, manifests in his craving for a drink of beer and his need to alleviate his guilt by contributing to household chores. His ego, attempting to mediate between his desires and reality, leads him to take practical steps like going to the grocery store. However, his superego, embodying internalized societal norms and moral standards, exacerbates his guilt and sense of inadequacy for not fulfilling his perceived duties.
His guilt about staying with Annette without contributing the household and his avoidance of discussing Tim’s absence highlight the influence of his superego. His internalized moral standards and societal expectations compel him to feel responsible and ashamed for not living up to his perceived duties. This guilt exacerbates his psychological distress and fuels his sense of inadequacy.
In addition, Annette’s interactions with Harry and her internal monologue can also be analyzed through Freud’s structural model. Her id, which seeks immediate gratification of her desires and relief from distress, is evident in her relief at Tim’s departure. Her ego, which mediates between her desires and reality, is demonstrated by her efforts to maintain a semblance of normalcy and manage the household. The superego, with its moral and societal imperatives, is reflected in her guilt and the societal pressure she feels to conform to expectations of grief and devastation following her husband’s abandonment.
The impact of war on the psyche
The profound impact of war on the human psyche is highlighted through Harry’s experiences. His silence and the physical scars on his typewriter symbolize the deep psychological wounds that remain long after the physical dangers have passed. The horrors he witnessed, including the deaths of innocents and animals, have left a mark on his consciousness, creating a fortress of words that he uses to shield himself from his painful memories.
The passive behavior of Harry further underscores the deep psychological impact of the war. His detachment and minimal engagement in conversation suggest a lingering trauma that prevents him from fully reintegrating into civilian life. His passive sipping of beer and watching the snowy television screen represent his disconnection from reality and the ongoing struggle to find his place in a world that seems distant and unfamiliar.
By continuing to delve into the psychological underpinnings of the characters, we uncover the intricate layers of their unconscious minds and the defense mechanisms they employ to navigate their emotional landscapes. This analysis highlights the profound influence of internal conflicts, societal pressures, and past traumas on their behaviors and interactions.
This analysis reveals the depth of Harry’s psychological struggle and the various ways in which his unconscious mind attempts to cope with the trauma and upheaval caused by his wartime experiences. The characters’ interactions and the symbolism within the narrative provide a rich tapestry for exploring the intricate workings of the human mind through the lens of psychoanalytic theory.
What is more, Harry’s physical reaction to the thunderstorm—a panic attack triggered by the sound of thunder and lightning—illustrates the lingering effects of his war trauma. His instinct to take cover behind a vegetable bin and his suffocating feeling in the grocery store reflect symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The thunderstorm acts as a trigger, bringing his repressed memories and fears to the surface. The shattered jars and the briny smell of pickles symbolize the shattering of his psychological defenses and the exposure of his raw, unprocessed emotions.
Finally, the translation of the Korean folktale “The Tale of the Old Man with No Legs” introduces the concept of frame narratives, which parallels Harry’s own experience of constructing mental barriers to cope with his trauma. The tale’s themes of survival, isolation, and confrontation with monstrous figures mirror Harry’s psychological struggles. The giant in the story can be seen as a representation of the overwhelming and monstrous aspects of Harry’s war memories that he must confront and escape from to survive.
In conclusion, “Vox Humana” by Ted Morrissey, through the lens of psychoanalytic criticism, reveals the profound impact of trauma, guilt, and internal conflicts on the characters. Harry’s journey is marked by a struggle to reconcile his past with his present, using various defense mechanisms to cope with his psychological distress. Annette’s efforts to create a sense of normalcy and her interactions with the village underscore the social pressures and expectations that shape their lives.
The rich symbolism, literary references, and deep psychological insights in the narrative offer a compelling exploration of the human psyche. The use of a Greek chorus and soliloquies enhances the understanding of the characters’ inner worlds, providing a nuanced and layered portrayal of their experiences and emotions.
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Irfana Bulbul is an undergraduate student at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Linguistics. She completed her matriculation and intermediate studies at Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Kuragh, Chitral. With a passion for reading and analyzing literary works, Irfana organizes book review circles as she is part of the education teams in various societies. To deepen her understanding about literature she attends sessions and webinars of renowned authors and scholars. Throughout her academic journey, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, outstanding leadership skills, and a strong commitment to community service. Her notable experience includes collaborations with renowned organizations, such as the Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan (AKESP), Teach For Pakistan (TFP), The Citizens Foundation (TCF), and the Chitral Students Society NUML (CSSN).
Twelve Winters 