Psychoanalytic Criticism

Psychoanalytic criticism takes into consideration the various aspects of one’s relationship between their conscious and unconscious mind, and is rooted in Freudian studies. The criticism focuses almost exclusively on the complexity of the psyche in terms of three parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id is all of one’s innate impulses and desires for instant gratification, while the superego is the exact opposite, for it functions as the standard of morality and what is socially acceptable. Mediating the two is the ego, which balances the two extremes found in one’s psyche. Oftentimes the working of one’s unconscious minds can be demonstrated through symbols, which are an expression of one’s unconsciousness. Furthermore, defense mechanisms, such as projection or repression, are used to exercise control over one’s conscious state. These complexities found in one’s consciousness are ubiquitous in society, which leads to a collective unconsciousness, ultimately lending itself to Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes, or universal themes. This theory explains the origins of universally accepted hero archetypes and other correlating storytelling norms found in most societies. One example of media I’ve viewed with psychoanalytic criticism is the pilot episode of a horror comedy series called Scream Queens, which recently aired on Fox in September. Not only does the shows project typical American archetypes, specifically about Greek life and socioeconomic status, but also reveals defense mechanisms used to suppress sexual and violent impulses.The psychoanalytic theory of the “Shadow Element’ of the psyche is also demonstrated in Scream Queens, through the flagrant display of violence throughout the episode as four characters are murdered brutally. These exhibits of violence, despite the show’s undertone of college life and innocent young adults, serve as a representation of one’s innate feelings of aggression and violence, which are typically concealed within the unconscious mind.