Alice’s Anxieties and Defense Mechanisms in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

C.A.O Wahjudi; D. Setiawan

doi:10.9744/katakita.1.1.pp. 1-8

Alice’s Anxieties and Defense Mechanisms in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

C.A.O Wahjudi^(1*), D. Setiawan⁽²⁾,

(1) English Department, Faculty of Letters, Petra Christian University, Siwalankerto 121-131, Surabaya 60236, East Java, INDONESIA
(2) English Department, Faculty of Letters, Petra Christian University, Siwalankerto 121-131, Surabaya 60236, East Java, INDONESIA
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

There are negative assumptions on fantasy that it is unrealistic and considered as immature and unacceptable. However, there are times when fantasy is the only way to cope the problems in the real life. In this study, I am going to analyze Alice in Wonderland (2010) movie in order to find out why Alice creates a fantasy of Wonderland. Using the theory of Freudian Psychology, I find that the causes of Alice creating Wonderland are three anxieties which are anxiety on tradition, love, and loss. These anxieties lead Alice to use two defense mechanisms, which are blocking her desire and creating Wonderland. Here, Alice’s Wonderland serves to solve her problem in the real life and satisfy her desires or ‘id’. In conclusion, fantasy is not always negative, but it can be positive.

Alice’s Anxieties and Defense Mechanisms

in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

Keywords

Anxieties, Defense Mechanism, Fantasy

Full Text:

PDF

References

Academy Awards. (2012). Alice in Wonderland. IMDB.com, Inc. Retrieved from http://boxofficemojo.com/oscar/movies/?id=aliceinwonderland10.htm

Bye, Susan. (2010). Education Resource Kit: Approaches to Alice in Wonderland. Retrieved from http://www.google.co.id/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=Alice+Adventures+in+Wonderland+-+Psychological+approach&source=web& cd=3&ved=0CDIQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acmi.net.au%2Fglobal%2Fdocs%2Fed-kit-burton-alice.pdf&ei=SQ9rT4-RMsfQrQe8s4XAA g&usg=AFQjCNFv31TF8NINmN_L5xyBo4zWmud9_A&cad=rja

Genre Characteristics. (2006). NCTE/IRA. Retrieved from http://www.google.co. id/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.readwritethink.org%2Ffiles%2Fresources%2Flesson_images%2Flesson270%2Fgenre_sheet.pdf&ei=O2KGUL7YJIXZrQfEhIGgDA&usg=AFQjCNFgdTKpIUkyr8qhTOLjCC0x0qkw4Q

Hall, Calvin. S. (1954). A Primer of Freudian Psychology. New York and Scarborough, Ontario: Mentor Book

Hamilton, C.& Parker, J. (2002). Lucid Dreams and Fantasy. The Psychics & Mediums Network. Retrieved from http://www.dreamsleep.net/dreams/ dreaming.htm

Sanity, Dr. (2004, August 29). Psychiatry 101 – Defense Mechanisms [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://drsanity.blogspot.com/2004/08/psychiatry-101-defense-mechanisms.html

Stone, A. A. & Smart, S. (1966). The Abnormal Personality Through Literature. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9744/katakita.1.1.pp.%201-8