Psychoanalytic Film Theory

The study of the mind

When was Freud born?

What part
of the
mind did

In 1856, Moravia.

The unconscious mind.

Freud say affects us without us knowing?

Why does our unconscious mind cause problems later on in life?
What are the three subdivisions of the mind?
We try to repress memories/fears in our unconscious mind. However, the
anxiety and fear of those memories can build up and even be associated in
our nightmares.
The super ego:
The ego:
The Id:
Largest part of mind.
Strongly influences
actions, without thinking
rationally. It stores
wishes, needs and fears.

Uses reason and

develops to become
stronger by past
experiences.
It strives to be moral.

Dominates the egos

moral conscious.
Imposes guilt and
controls actions, to
prevent guilt.
Thinks more morally.

The objective is to seek

pleasure and Metaphorically,
avoid pain.
castration is the idea of feeling insignificant and a need to
keep away from being dominated, whether socially, or in a relationship.
In Alien for example, we see males being impregnated by the alien, making
them more insignificant.
The males become terrified of the alien (representing a stronger male) and so
try to out-way their inferiority by carrying large weapons, which commonly
represent the male to have a large genatelia.

What is the metaphorical meaning of castration anxiety?

How can we apply this

to Alien?
The alien demonstrates Id, due to its desire to kill and hunt.
The robot Ash meanwhile demonstrates a super ego, where he follows
mother computers orders to keep the Alien specimen alive.
However, he demonstrates Id, when he decides to kill the woman, to prevent
her from killing the alien.
Additionally, when Ripley wishes to warn the crew about something
dangerous on the planet, Ash promotes an Id, by forcefully asking what
good it will do, demonstrating his instant desire to prevent Ripley from
moving the crew away from the eggs ( I.e. the specimens Ash needs on
board).
However, he exhibits an ego, by instead stating the crew will know if
something is dangerous. This way he eases Ripley of the temptation to inform
the crew to leave and with the chance of securing some life forms on board
the ship.

The woman meanwhile, demonstrates a super ego, as despite wanting to run

away from the Alien, she goes back to save the cat, due to feeling guilty in
leaving the cat behind.