David suffers from schizophrenia, brought on by his cut-short childhood, loneliness, the tension formed due to his questionable relationship with Julie, and eventually, his terrible disfigurement. Using Freud’s definition of schizophrenia, David has escaped to an early and secure, possibly childish, state of psychological development, due to the unbearable stress and conflict that surrounds him. “The id, as proposed by Freud, is the innermost core of the personality” (Psychology-Frontiers and Applications). Under normal circumstances, it has no direct contact with reality, because it seeks only immediate gratification or release, regardless of rational considerations and environmental realities. In other words, “What it wants, it takes!” By degrading to this early stage of development, David has reduced his minds control of the release of the id, causing his perspective of the world to become wildly warped.
A drunken driver killed both of David’s parents when he was very young, removing a large part of the psychological influence, which controls the development of a child. The loss of his mother, of whom he was obviously fond, must have surely been a terrible blow. However, the loss of his father may
. . .
Julie’s mistaken ideas about David’s intentions regarding their relationship lead her down the suicidal trip she takes, resulting in his disfigurement. They however, are uncomfortable with his new persona, which leads to an interesting dialogue between David and his best-friend Brian, in which he argues with Brian using the mask attached to the back of his head. This new relationship briefly eliminates David’s isolation, but after the wreck, which maimed him, he is unable to reenter the relationship as the same person. His attempts to hide himself from others, especially Brian and Sophia, further distance him. David’s previous rivalry and unhappiness with his late father, and the unfortunate loss of his mother, resulted in a warped Oedipus Complex, in which the sexual desire for ones mother has been moved to Sophia, whom David may see as a figure similar to his mother. In his father’s biography, David is mentioned only once, and in passing. David’s inability to move beyond his physical problems causes him to retreat within himself, to a state in which he is unable to successfully cope with the outside world
All of these situations affect David’s psychological makeup, and lead him to a state at which he has no real control over his perception of reality and imagination.
The most important channel in the terrible formula of David’s schizophrenic breakdown is the injuries he suffers in Julie’s fatal car crash, especially the disfigurement of his face. David’s failure to resolve his emotional problems concerning his dad is a source of great anxiety and grief for David. As his tormented true self fights with Brian, he continues to present the cold, immobile face of the lie he wishes to live to the world. It is at this point that the movie steps in, providing a release for David.
David’s relationship with Julie, though originally one of mutual interest, quickly becomes a source of anxiety and pain for David after he begins his relationship with Sophia. The jail scenes in which he speaks to a psychologist lead to an incredible discovery, leading to the explanation for the terrible events that have occurred to David Aames.
Approximate Word count =
874
Approximate Pages =
3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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