Lord Of The Flies And The Ego Analysis

Sohmee Kim

Mrs. Houle

English I PAP- 3

28 April 2016

The Ego in the Lord of the Flies

People contradict themselves. People sometimes think logically but sometimes act on impulses that are controversial. Sigmund Freud, a neurologist, tried to explain these controversial acts when he said, “the ego is like a man on horseback, struggling to contain the powerful beast beneath…” Freud believed that humans have three personalities, id, ego, and the superego. The beast mentioned above refers to the id, or instincts, that drives our actions through essential needs and desires. But in reality, all the needs and desires can not be fulfilled. So the ego “operates according to the reality principle, meditating between the desires of the id and realities

His logical, planning mind knew that the boys should build shelters to protect them from rain and other dangers. This shows that Ralph can think about the future and plan considering the benefits and consequences. Ralph did the planning but also the majority of the work. “‘[Everyone] built the first [shelter], four of [the boys] the second one, and [Ralph] ’n Simon built the last one…’” (Golding 80). Most of the boys went off to play soon after work began, but Ralph was able to control his impulses and continue working hard until the job was finished. The ego acts on the reality principle. This principle allows Ralph to judge the short-term and long-term benefits, consequences, desires, and the reality to make the best decision. Because of his strong ego, he was able to plan, control his impulses for immediate pleasures, and meet external

Ralph shows several defense mechanisms throughout the book. A defense mechanism is an unconscious process that is an outcome of the ego trying to balance the needs of the id, the superego, and the reality. Ralph “had pushed the thought [of the boy with the mulberry colored birthmark] down and out of sight, where only some positive reminder like this could bring it to the surface” (Golding 86). In the quote, Ralph displays what is called repression. In the article, “Defense Mechanism,” Repression “is the withdrawal from consciousness of an unwanted idea… by pushing it down, or repressing it, into the unconscious part of the mind” (“Defense Mechanism”). The superego makes Ralph feel guilty for not taking responsibility for the boy and but the id does not want to feel the guilt and anxiety. Thus the ego tries to repress it so that he does not have to deal with it. Ralph displays another defense mechanism, denial, when he talks about the beast. He first furiously denies that there are any beasts on the island. But deep down, he is afraid because there is a possibility that the beast exists. Ralph’s fear is reflected when he asks, “‘The trouble is: Are there ghosts, Piggy? Or beasts?’” (Golding 92). Ralph does not want to feel the fear and thus tries to convince himself by denying any possibilities of the beast’s existence. Theses two defense mechanisms allow Ralph to deal with his