(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Psychoanalysis of alien

Freud would argue that Ripley shows characteristics of regression to the phallic stage when genitalia are the key issue. Ripley is suffering from penis envy and tries to make up for not having a penis by carrying big guns and trying to match up with the boys. According to Freud she may have had some sort of trauma during that specific stage of development and this may be the reason for regression. .
             However psychologist Erikson, who claims that personality development is more social rather than biological, would argue that Ripley's masculine tendencies are due to a stage called intimacy vs isolation. In this stage it is vital to form a relationship, as the only other alternative is isolation. In Ripley's case it may have been her father whom she formed the bond with and therefore learnt from him in the development of her own personality. This also fits with Ryan and Lynch group socialisation theory. In my opinion Ripley is not as masculine as people like to make out. At the start of the film Ripley has no desire to take over or be in charge, she is quite happy being told what to do until things get out of control. She is rational and sensible and has more sense of logic than the men. This is nothing to do with gender just individual qualities. Where as the other female member on board is very weak this can only extenuate Ripley's strength. .
             The most unarguable characteristics that show Ripley to be psychologically a "typical woman" are her mothering instincts. This is not so obvious in the way she treats the crew, but is definitely seen in her affection towards the ships cat. Most men would not threaten their own lives to find it where as Ripley is often seen to be asking for it and leaving the safety of their quarters to find it. Also in the final scene we see he placing the cat in his individual pod for the journey home. This looks very much like a mother putting a child to bed.


Essays Related to Psychoanalysis of alien

1. Pschoanalysis In Alien

A Psychoanalytic reading of Alien (1979) In 1896 Sigmund Freud coined the phrase "psychoanalysis", which basically is a theory that there are three forces that control the body, they are the id, the ego and the superego. ... In An Outline of Psychoanalysis (Freud 1949) Freud states that the ultimate cause of all behaviour stems from the instincts Eros (love) and the death / destruction instinct. ... Another major part of psychoanalysis is the Oedipus complex. ... She grunts in a way not to dissimilar to the way the Alien does and ironically kills the alien by penetrating it with a spear...

  • Word Count: 1552
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Movie Summary - Alien

Where the nature of the alien is hunting them. ... In Alien, the penis is no longer in power. ... The film has psychoanalysis themes that have to do with the phallic. In the journal article, The State of Film and Media Criticism it states that using this kind of psychoanalysis is used, "in relation to sexual difference.... Then, out of nowhere the Alien's arm pops out. ...

  • Word Count: 1794
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

3. How has the representation of women changed in science ficti

Films featuring other subjects such as alien beings, mutant creatures, or soulless humans were more often than not stereotyped melodramas. ... With the introduction of Freud and psychoanalysis, came a new way of looking at women not in film and cinema, but in society as well. Psychoanalysis focused on the misconceptions that constructed the symbolic place of women' and the maternal'. ... The impact of feminism on female representation in science fiction cinema can be detected from the late 1970's and early 1980's, most notably in the Aliens starring Sigourney Weaver as Ripley. In Aliens, she...

  • Word Count: 2213
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Ender's Game

Ender was bred to Destroy, the government allowed him to be born, which was a disgrace, because he was a third. He faces many challenges, as he is placed under constant observation, is studied and watched. He makes many an enemy because of his gifts and attention. He is recruited to a very harsh ...

  • Word Count: 550
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Children, Parents and the Oedipus Complex

Freud would later become known as the father of psychoanalysis and publish many papers and books illustrating his findings on religious effects, dreams and the subconscious, as well as what he would call "The Oedipus Complex" - the relationship between children and their parent of the opposite sex. ... Albert Ellis, a famous American psychologist said, "I thought foolishly that Freudian psychoanalysis was deeper and more intensive than other, so I was trained and practiced in it (Brainy).... Much of the psychoanalysis community find no merit in repressed memories/emotions. ... This distin...

  • Word Count: 1498
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. THE GAZE IS OFTEN LINKED TO POWER AND GENDER IN VISUAL CULTU

Glenn Man (1993) agrees with the idea that Thelma and Louise empowers the female characters, "What the narration of Thelma and Louise attempts to do then is to inscribe both women as subjects and agents of the narrative, give authentic voice to their desires, and mute the discourses of the male characters" Ripley Scott is well known for his strong lead females and another famous lead female was the character Ripley from Aliens. ... However, Mulvey has admitted that more recent developments in cine-psychoanalysis are more fitting. ...

  • Word Count: 2044
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Civilization and Discontents

In the book "Civilization and its Discontents," Sigmund Freud tries to compare and differentiate the psychoanalysis to other accepted scientific disciplines. But first of all we should establish the key point of the text. The main idea of "Civilization and its Discontents  is that human being...

  • Word Count: 3675
  • Approx Pages: 15

8. The Socialization Of Literature

Much mythology raises many issues that cause the audience to look deeper into their own psychoanalysis. ... He could have been king, emperor of the whole world or even leave it if he chose eventually he became more human than alien" This transcendence into society acceptance is reflective of societal conformity. ...

  • Word Count: 1933
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Freud and Marx

In the book "Civilization and its Discontents ", Sigmund Freud tries to compare and differentiate the psychoanalysis to other accepted scientific disciplines. But first of all we should establish the key point of the text. The main idea of "Civilization and its Discontents " is that human beings ar...

  • Word Count: 3675
  • Approx Pages: 15

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question