Summary Of James Mcbride's Family

The theory being applied to James McBride’s family is Sigmund Freud’s Psychodynamic theory. This theory is based on the grounds of the importance of early childhood experiences that shape personality and behavior (Lifespan). Applying this theory to James’ family we can begin by looking at the time period in which the children grew up. The family grew up in a time where black and whites did not marry and it was unacceptable for them to be together. This caused some of the family members to develop a defense mechanism. A defense mechanism is the denying of reality and projecting feelings on someone else (Lifespan). Because the mother was a white female, the children sought to understand, but where protective of their mother. Ruth uses the defense mechanism to hide or suppress her past and race from her children. Many times the children ask Ruth are they black or white and where she comes from. Ruth suppresses these thoughts and reacts by telling her children not to worry about it or don’t ask questions.

James begins with the ID stage. He houses aggression towards knowing his background and understanding his sense of self. He is trying to understand what is good and bad with his own racial identity. The Ego aspect of James is that he is trying to satisfy his need of understanding his roots. James toward the end of the book explores places that his mother grew up to better understand his Jewish roots. He is thinking practical and leading up to his exploration has often put his need for understand on hold. This is considered his healthiest part of his self-development (Lifespan). James Super Ego has developed into more moral standards of understanding race and has also helped influences him to interview his mother to learn more on his