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The Unconscious, Repression and
Compulsive Acts in “Vox Humana”
Muhammad Rehan Shamas
The short story “Vox Humana” is a multilayered exploration of trauma, memory, and identity, employing vivid imagery and a fragmented narrative. The story, set against the backdrop of post-war America, portrays the psychological struggles of Harry, a Korean War veteran, and his sister Annette as they navigate personal losses and societal expectations. This essay applies psychoanalytic criticism to the text, drawing on Freudian concepts of the unconscious, repression, and trauma; Lacanian ideas of the mirror stage and the symbolic order; and Jungian archetypes to analyze the characters, themes, and narrative techniques of the story.
Freudian Analysis: The Unconscious and Repression
At the core of Freudian psychoanalysis is the concept of the unconscious—a reservoir of repressed memories and desires that influence behavior. Harry’s post-war silence and avoidance of conversation signify repressed trauma from his experiences in Korea. “For months, it seemed that His only words were those that belonged to the North and south Korea.” His reluctance to address his feelings, even with Annette, reflects Freud’s theory of repression as a defense mechanism to shield the psyche from unbearable memories.
Harry’s compulsion to transcribe stories during the war, and his reliance on this task for psychological relief, is another Freudian symbol. Writing allowed him to displace his anxieties, temporarily transferring his psychological burden onto the narratives of others. However, the cessation of this work after the war left him vulnerable to his repressed fears. The persistent chorus of Korean voices in his mind, a haunting manifestation of his guilt and unresolved experiences, exemplifies Freud’s notion of the return of the repressed.
Annette’s reflections on her estranged husband Tim and her mixed emotions about his departure also align with Freudian analysis. Her simultaneous relief and lingering guilt echo the dichotomy of the id (seeking personal liberation) and the superego (enforcing societal expectations and moral obligations).
Lacanian Interpretation: Identity, Language, and the Symbolic Order
Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage and the entry into the symbolic order sheds light on Harry’s fragmented sense of self. The mirror stage, where an individual forms an idealized image of themselves, is destabilized in Harry’s case. His war experiences shattered his previous self-image, leaving him disconnected from his identity. The persistent voices and his inability to find solace in his hometown suggest a failure to reconcile his internal and external worlds.
Language plays a crucial role in Harry’s struggle. Lacan’s symbolic order, the realm of language and social structures, represents the external world that Harry finds alienating. His foray into poetry, especially his composition of The Human Voice, is an attempt to bridge the gap between his inner turmoil and the external symbolic world. Through poetry, he transforms his chaotic inner chorus into structured language, momentarily gaining control over his fragmented psyche. “…some of the poems seemed to get the choral voices to stop altogether”.
Annette’s internal monologue, especially her musings on her marital failure and her role as Harry’s caretaker, mirrors Lacan’s notion of the divided self. Her outward composure belies her inner conflict, a duality that aligns with Lacan’s assertion that identity is shaped by an interplay of external recognition and internal desires.
Jungian Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious
Carl Jung, a Swiss physician, psychologist, philosopher and psychiatrist, was Freud’s most famous pupil. Selecting Jung as his favorite student and “son,” Freud appointed him as his successor. Towards the end of their seven-year, teacher-disciple relationship , however, Jung prophetically wrote to Freud, quoting from Nietzsche’s “Thus Spake Zarathustra”: “ One repays a teacher badly if one remains only a pupil.” One year later, he broke away from his master and eventually became one of the leading figures in the psychoanalytic movement.
From a Jungian perspective, “Vox Humana” resonates with archetypes that reflect universal human experiences. Harry embodies the archetype of the Wounded Warrior, a figure burdened by past battles, seeking healing and meaning. His journey, though not overtly heroic, is a search for reintegration into society and reconciliation with his shadow—the repository of his suppressed fears and guilt.
Annette represents the Caregiver archetype, selflessly accommodating Harry while grappling with her own unresolved emotions. “She was just beginning to understand Tim’s abandonment and what it may mean for her when Harry called about his discharge and his needing a ride”. Her nurturing role underscores the tension between individual desires and collective responsibilities, a recurring theme in Jungian analysis.
The tale of the one-legged old man, recounted within the story, symbolizes the Wise Old Man archetype, offering Harry a mirror to his existential plight. The old man’s survival despite immense suffering parallels Harry’s psychological journey, hinting at the potential for resilience and growth. ”The old man recounts…In my youth I was a sailor… We ran for our lives to the beach and our waiting ship”.
The Psychological Role of Memory and Trauma
The story’s fragmented structure reflects the disjointed nature of traumatic memory. Harry’s vivid recollections of war intermingle with present-day events, blurring the lines between past and present. This narrative technique mirrors how trauma disrupts linear memory, a concept explored in both Freudian and contemporary trauma theories.
Annette’s reflections on her failed marriage and her brother’s condition reveal the psychological weight of memory. Her ability to revisit and reframe her experiences contrasts with Harry’s struggle, highlighting differing coping mechanisms for trauma. While Annette cautiously embraces change, Harry remains caught in a liminal space, unable to fully engage with his present or his past.
The Symbolism of the Human Voice
The title Vox Humana, Latin for “human voice,” encapsulates the story’s psychoanalytic core. Harry’s journey toward self-expression through poetry signifies the therapeutic potential of finding one’s voice. The process of articulating his thoughts and emotions represents a step toward healing, aligning with the psychoanalytic emphasis on the cathartic power of speech and storytelling. “Even his juxtaposition to the typewriter calmed his mind further”.
The recurring motif of voices—both external (the village chorus) and internal (the Korean whispers)—underscores the tension between individuality and collective identity. Harry’s poetry serves as a medium to reconcile these voices, transforming them from chaotic echoes into coherent expressions of his humanity.
Through its nuanced portrayal of trauma, identity, and memory, “Vox Humana” offers a fertile ground for psychoanalytic exploration. Harry’s and Annette’s struggles illustrate the profound impact of repressed emotions, the search for selfhood, and the interplay of individual and collective psyches. By applying Freudian, Lacanian, and Jungian theories, this analysis unpacks the psychological depths of the story, revealing its universal resonance. Morrissey’s narrative ultimately affirms the redemptive potential of self-expression, encapsulating the enduring power of the human voice in navigating the complexities of the mind and soul.
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Muhammad Rehan Shamas is a Bachelor’s student of English at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. He is an active participant in various university societies, engaging in academic and extracurricular activities. With a keen interest in literature and linguistics, he aspires to contribute to the field through research and critical analysis.
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