Depiction of Id, Ego and Superego in ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emile Bronte

Abstract

Attempts to analyse the mind has always been a curious but intricate study.The present paper based on ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emile Bronte, discusses the human behaviour with respect to the society. Likewise, it can be taken as a portrayal of society where circumstances and perspectives influence the thinking and mental processes of individuals. The paper applies certain Freudian theories and examines Brontë’s work in Wuthering Heights, analyzing various characters and their implications for society.
The paper discusses the major characters of the present novel through the concept of Id, Ego and Superego as classified by Sigmund Freud, and it also looks at the various defense mechanisms that a person adopts to overshadow his/ her flaws.The key-characters of the novel Heathcliff,Catherine and Edgar delineate the Id, Ego and Superego respectively.The relationships of Heathcliff and Catherine, Edgar and Catherine, Heathcliff and Isabella build a strong plot for the novel but make the lives painful and complex for these characters.The paper also looks into the interrelativeness of the characters and its impact on their destinies ultimately. Bronte's work also supports Freud’s psychological theories, despite the novel being published in 1847, nearly a century before Freud's theories emerged in the 1960s.