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Trauma and Identity in “Vox Humana”
Aimen Zahra
The Freudian approach to psychoanalytic criticism examines literature as a reflection of unconscious desires, repressed emotions, and internal conflicts, using concepts like the id, ego, superego, and defense mechanisms. It interprets symbols, themes, and characters to uncover hidden psychological forces in the text and its author. In Ted Morrissey’s “Vox Humana,” Harry’s return from war and his reunion with his sister Annette become a study in psychological disconnection and repressed trauma. Employing Freudian approach, this analysis delves into Harry’s fragmented psyche, his struggle with post-war identity, and Annette’s conflicted emotional state, exploring how their interactions reveal deeper psychological truths. The narrative’s symbolic imagery and Harry’s interior monologues serve as a gateway to understanding their inner lives and broader human themes of loss, recovery, and identity.
Harry’s experiences during the war left him deeply scarred, both mentally and emotionally. He worked as a transcriber, recording the words of Korean prisoners and witnesses. Over time, he became disconnected from his own sense of self, immersing himself in the stories of others to cope with the trauma around him. Freud might say Harry’s mind used this as a defense mechanism—his ego trying to protect him from the horrors of war. His focus on the typewriter, which even physically saved him from harm, symbolizes how he used his work as a shield from his pain. However, just like the battered typewriter, Harry is still functioning but deeply damaged.
Harry’s repression of his feelings is a central theme. He avoids dealing with the pain and fear he experienced during the war, but these emotions resurface in his mind in strange ways. He hears fragments of the voices he transcribed, almost like whispers from a “Greek chorus” in his head. Freud believed that suppressed feelings often find their way back into our thoughts or dreams, and for Harry, these voices represent his inner conflict. They remind him of the violence and suffering he witnessed, as well as his feelings of guilt for surviving when others didn’t.
The images of death and destruction that haunt Harry show another Freudian idea: the “uncanny.” This is when something familiar becomes strange or unsettling, often because it reveals hidden fears or truths. Harry’s nightmares and visions of dead bodies and animals emphasize how the war has shattered his sense of normalcy. These memories disrupt his attempt to live a peaceful, everyday life.
Harry’s relationship with his sister, Annette, reflects another layer of psychological tension. Annette provides a stable environment for Harry, offering him a place to stay and trying to reconnect with him. However, their conversations are often strained, as both of them avoid discussing their true feelings. Annette takes on a caring role, almost like a mother figure, but she struggles with her own unresolved emotions about her husband, Tim, leaving her. Freud might see their dynamic as a mix of dependency and guilt, shaped by their family roles.
Annette is also conflicted. While she wants to help Harry, she feels overwhelmed by his presence and wonders how long he’ll stay. Her thoughts reveal the tension between her sense of duty and her personal needs. Freud’s idea of the superego—our inner moral compass—explains her actions. She tries to be the “good” sister, organizing a welcome-home party and looking after Harry, but her private thoughts show the influence of her id, the part of the mind driven by personal desires and frustrations.
The story uses symbols to deepen its exploration of identity and hidden emotions. Masks, for example, appear both literally and metaphorically. During the party, villagers wear masks as part of a playful scene, but the masks also represent the personas people present to hide their true selves. Harry feels like the people around him are “ghosts,” showing how disconnected he feels from his past and his community. Freud’s ideas about the ego help explain Harry’s struggle: he is caught between his inner turmoil (the id) and the social expectations around him (the superego).
The welcome-home party itself highlights Harry’s discomfort and alienation. The villagers’ kind gestures, like the banner and food, feel empty to him. Freud’s concept of the “death drive” might explain Harry’s reaction. This idea suggests that people sometimes feel a pull toward isolation or destruction, as a way to escape life’s difficulties. Harry’s decision to leave the village reflects this urge, as he retreats further into himself rather than trying to rebuild his life there.
Beth Ann Ferguson, the librarian, offers a brief chance for connection. She and Harry seem to share a quiet understanding of loneliness and unspoken struggles. However, even this potential bond is fragile. Harry ultimately asks Beth Ann to help him leave the village, showing that he still can’t face the idea of staying and forming deeper relationships. Freud might see this as Harry’s ego failing to balance his need for connection with his instinct to escape.
One of the story’s most significant moments is when Harry writes a poem. For a brief time, creating poetry gives him a way to channel his chaotic thoughts into something meaningful. Freud’s idea of sublimation explains this process: when people take strong or painful emotions and turn them into creative or productive outlets. Writing helps Harry gain a moment of clarity, but it doesn’t resolve his deeper struggles. The poem becomes a small victory in his ongoing battle with his inner demons.
In the end, Harry’s decision to leave shows how unresolved his inner conflict remains. Despite his sister’s efforts and the community’s welcome, he feels like an outsider, unable to reconnect with the life he left behind. His psychological wounds run too deep, and the trauma of the war continues to shape his actions and thoughts.
The psychoanalytic lens reveals the central themes of alienation, trauma, and identity crises in “Vox Humana.” Harry’s internal struggles—his emotional withdrawal, his return to a childlike dependence on his sister, and his efforts to reconnect with his past through mythological and poetic symbols—highlight the profound impacts of war and isolation on the psyche. Through a Freudian lens, the story shows how trauma and repression influence Harry’s behavior and relationships. His journey highlights the struggle between the different parts of the mind: the id’s desires, the ego’s attempts to mediate, and the superego’s moral expectations. The story also explores how people cope with pain, whether by retreating into themselves, finding solace in routine, or expressing their emotions through art. Harry’s story is a poignant reminder of how difficult it can be to heal from the past and find a sense of belonging again.
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Aimen Zahra is a final-year student in the 8th semester of the BS English program at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). She has a keen interest in both literary studies and linguistics. Throughout her academic journey, she has actively participated in research projects. Her passion for literature and linguistics extends beyond academics, as she has been involved in various societies, fostering discussions on contemporary issues. She aspires to pursue further studies in these fields and aims to contribute through research and teaching.
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