Introduction
Psychologists have long been fascinated by studying personalities as they seek to understand people’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Consequently, psychologists have developed multiple theories and perspectives to help themselves better understand personalities. One of these psychologists is Sigmund Freud, who was also an influential figure in this field. Freud developed a comprehensive theory of personality that focuses on the unconscious mind and how it influences individual behavior.
This paper will apply his psychoanalytic theory to examine the character Harry Potter from the JK Rowling films. Harry Potter is the main protagonist in the film series written by Rowling. Thus, by applying various elements of Freudian theory, one can gain insight into the character, especially the interplay between the conscious and unconscious mind, and how they impacted his behavior.
Harry Potter’s Character Analysis
Harry Potter is the main protagonist in all of J.K. Rowling’s books and subsequent adaptations to film. His main attraction is his captivating journey as a young wizard. Born into magic, he navigates the obstacles of magic education and confronts the ever-present threat presented by Lord Voldemort. He also grapples with inner turmoil, which arises due to his complicated past.
The character’s life is marked with tragedy from an early age, when he is orphaned through the murder of his parents by Lord Voldemort. This episode of his life sets the stage for a complex interplay between emotions and motivations. According to Freud, such traumatic events in early life impact an individual’s coping mechanism, especially when overwhelming emotions caused by trauma are involved (Perelberg, 2020). Thus, Freud’s theory can unravel Harry Potter’s character, emotions, and motivation behind his behavior.
Harry also has feelings of abandonment and longing for connection and love throughout the film series. According to Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, one’s personality is shaped by early experiences (Perelberg, 2020). Consequently, the loss of his parents at an early age and being left in the care of negligent relatives left him with deep emotional scars. These experiences are part of his strong insecurities and an absurd yearning for acceptance and belonging.
In addition, he uses repression and displacement as defense mechanisms to protect himself from anxiety and distress. Thus, despite his display of loyalty, determination, and bravery, Harry Potter also struggles with insecurity, abandonment, and anger from his past experiences. By applying Freud’s psychoanalytic perspective, one can gain more insight into the motivation behind his behavior and personality.
Why the Freudian Theory
Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic perspective is ideal for analyzing Harry Potter’s personality for multiple reasons. The principal reason why applying this theory is the right choice is that it provides a framework for understanding personality complexities. In particular, the theory structures the human mind into the id, ego, and superego.
The id operates on the principle of immediate gratification and desire, while the superego considers societal norms and moral reasoning. The ego mediates between these two extremes, ensuring behavior is not motivated by immediate gratification or moral considerations. This theory also emphasizes the role of the unconscious process and how childhood experiences influence adult personality (Perelberg, 2020). In particular, the psychosexual development theory highlights the importance of early experiences in shaping a personality later on in life.
Freudian Theory and Harry Potter
The Freudian psychoanalytic theory can be applied to Harry Potter to provide insights into his personality and behavior. In particular, concepts such as the id, ego, and superego, the role of the unconscious mind, and the psychosexual stages of development can assist in unraveling the complex personality of one of the most beloved film characters (Perelberg, 2020). In addition, the interplay between these concepts illuminates the complex nature of human experiences. It cements J.K. Rowling as one of the best storytellers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Her portrayal of Harry Potter throughout the series shows her deep understanding of human behavior and personality, and how childhood experiences influence it.
Id, Ego, and Superego
Freud argued that the human mind is divided into three components, namely the id, ego, and superego. According to this proposal, the id represents the primary human instincts of instant gratification and the fulfillment of desire without regard for consequences (Perelberg, 2020). The ego is the mediator between the id and the external world, which expects human beings to act in regard to others and in conformity with values and morals. In addition, the superego represents societal expectations of moral behavior guided by values and rules.
In the case of Harry Potter, the interplay between these components of human behavior is apparent. Specifically, the id is evident through his impulsive desire for revenge against Lord Voldemort for killing his parents. In addition, he exhibits a penchant for defying authority, especially when it conflicts with his primordial desires. He also disregards the rules of the magic world and engages in behavior that endangers him and his friends.
The ego, which moderates the animal instincts, is also apparent in Harry Potter’s behavior. In particular, it tries to balance between his desire for revenge and reality. Specifically, this is apparent when he weighs the costs of his actions by evaluating the costs and benefits and taking the action that minimizes risks to him and his friends.
Finally, the superego is also apparent in his behavior through adherence to a moral code of right and wrong (Perelberg, 2020). This is especially evident in how, despite facing problems that would otherwise compromise an individual’s moral code, he still manages to bravely exhibit a deep commitment to justice and loyalty. These values are imparted to him by society, and he is expected to abide by them in his conduct.
Influence by the Unconscious
Freud held that the unconscious heavily influenced the behavior and conduct of an individual. According to him, the unconscious was made up of repressed memories, unresolved conflicts, and desires with the ability to shape an individual’s actions and thoughts (Henderson, 2022). His unconscious mind largely influences character development for Harry Potter.
For example, the trauma that he experienced as a child, with the murder of his parents and being neglected by the Dursley family, left him with emotional scars. These experiences unconsciously motivate Harry Potter and shape his behavior throughout the storyline. For example, his intense desire for love and acceptance can be directly traced to his abandonment as a young child. His strong attachments to friends and mentors such as Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, and Albus Dumbledore are also a result of the unconscious mind. These relationships compensate for the love, belonging, and emotional support that he never received as a child.
Due to his experiences as a child, Harry Potter also built an unconscious defense mechanism. He employs these defense mechanisms to avoid anxiety and distress. One example of this mechanism is his repression of the memories of his parents’ death and his near-death experience as a child. However, these experiences still manage to resurface as nightmares and flashbacks, which show the impact of these lingering memories on his behavior, emotions, and personality. His effort to repress these memories enables him to avoid serious issues such as anxiety and distress, but it unconsciously changes the way he reacts to situations.
Psychosexual Development
Freud’s psychosexual development theory also provides insights into the character of Harry Potter. According to this theory, the phallic stage is critical in the development of children because they form attachments to opposite-sex parents and experience the Electra complex (Perelberg, 2020). The absence of parents in the case of Harry Potter intensifies his attachment to figures such as Sirius Black and Albus Dumbledore, who he perceives as father figures throughout the series. However, this attachment is complicated by his relationship with Snape, whom he disdains and admires simultaneously due to unresolved emotions related to the absence of a father figure.
Conclusion
Applying Freudian personality theories provides useful insights into Harry Potter’s complex character. Specifically, his id, ego, and superego provide a framework for understanding his moral compass and conflicting desires. Additionally, an emphasis on the unconscious mind reveals the effects of deep-seated trauma and repressed emotions on Harry Potter’s emotions, motivations, and behavior. Finally, Freud’s psychosexual development perspective sheds light on his complex relationship and his obsession with finding love, belonging, and identity.
References
Henderson, T. (2022). Harry Potter and the management of trauma. Open at the Close, 212–222. Web.
Perelberg, R. J. (2020). Sexuality, excess, and representation: A psychoanalytic clinical and theoretical perspective. Routledge.