From the very beginnings of cinematography, the main role of every film is to arouse the viewer's interest. Every director has his own visions and employs unique methods and techniques in the film-making process. One of the major and all-purpose methods is to show the decline of the protagonist. This degradation very often accompanies the process of self-destruction and mental disorders as presented in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan and David Fincher's Fight Club. The purpose of this dissertation is to present the depiction of dissociative identity disorder and the self-destruction processes presented in Fight Club, Psycho and Black Swan.
The first chapter of this dissertation is focused on the phenomenon of dual personality, which is called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). The chapter is divided into three parts: the first part is devoted to Psycho, the second to Black Swan and the final one - to Fight Club. Every subchapter begins with a short background which is compulsory in order to understand and to familiarize oneself with the plot of the film. After a brief introduction I shall focus on the analysis of the respective protagonist's behaviour and list of the reasons which lead to their mental disorders. Finally, the chapter depicts the course of events which follow after the protagonists develop DID.
The second chapter discusses the patterns affecting the self-destructive behaviour. Because of the apparent similarity between self-destructive behaviour and DID, the structure of this chapter is practically identical as the first one - even though it does not include the brief introduction. This chapter examines the process of the protagonists' self-destruction, starting with the reasons which cause this process, and ending with description of the twists and turns of the protagonists.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter I
1.1 Introduction to the films and the definition of Dissociative Identity Disorder
1.2 Dissociative Identity Disorder in Psycho
1.3 Dissociative Identity Disorder in Black Swan
1.4 Dissociative Identity Disorder in Fight Club
Chapter II
2.1 Self-destructive behaviour
2.2 Self-destructive behaviour in Psycho
2.3 Self-destructive behaviour in Black Swan
2.4 Self-destructive behaviour in Fight Club
Conclusions
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This dissertation aims to explore the portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and the mechanisms of self-destructive behavior in the films Psycho, Black Swan, and Fight Club, analyzing how cinematic techniques and directorial vision depict the psychological decline of the protagonists.
- The manifestation of Dissociative Identity Disorder across different film eras.
- The link between childhood trauma and the emergence of alter egos.
- Analysis of self-destructive behaviors, categorized as mental or physical.
- The impact of societal norms, consumerism, and family dynamics on protagonist instability.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2 Dissociative Identity Disorder in Psycho
In Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 psychological thriller, the person who has multiple identities is the villain, Norman Bates. At the end of the film, a psychiatrist gives a long monologue in which he explains and defines all Bates's dissociation problems as ones originating in early childhood. At the age of five, he become a half-orphan and spends the rest of his childhood with his mother, who is a very strict woman. She raises him with cruelty, instilled in him the concept that every woman, except her, is a prostitute and defined sex as evil. She is possessive and despotic towards her son. However, Norman accepts and loves her, which is apparent in one of his statements “A boy's best friend is his mother” (Psycho 1960). They live together in the state of total codependency; Norman's attachment becomes so intense that when she takes a lover, his feeling of being jealousy and abandoned forces him to poison both of them with strychnine. After committing the matricide, he steals her body out of the coffin and preserves it.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the foundation for the study by outlining the films' roles in depicting protagonist decline and establishing the focus on DID and self-destruction.
Chapter I: Examines the phenomenon of Dissociative Identity Disorder by providing background, analysis of protagonist behavior, and the development of alternate identities in each film.
Chapter II: Discusses the patterns of self-destructive behavior, investigating the specific reasons and processes behind each protagonist's physical and mental degradation.
Keywords
Dissociative Identity Disorder, Self-destructive behaviour, Psycho, Black Swan, Fight Club, Alfred Hitchcock, Darren Aronofsky, David Fincher, Norman Bates, Nina Sayers, Narrator, Tyler Durden, Cinema, Psychology, Trauma
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the representation of Dissociative Identity Disorder and the psychological and physical manifestations of self-destructive behavior in three prominent psychological thrillers.
Which films are analyzed in the dissertation?
The analysis focuses on Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho", Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan", and David Fincher's "Fight Club".
What is the core research objective?
The objective is to present the depiction of DID and self-destruction processes, examining why and how these protagonists experience mental disorders.
What scientific methodology is utilized?
The work employs a comparative film analysis approach, integrating psychological definitions and classifications of self-destructive behavior into the study of the protagonists.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The work covers definitions of DID, the backgrounds of the films, analyses of protagonist behavior, causes of self-destruction, and the roles of trauma and societal influence.
Which keywords define this dissertation?
Key terms include Dissociative Identity Disorder, self-destruction, trauma, psychological thriller, alter ego, and the specific protagonists and directors involved.
How does the author categorize self-destructive behavior in "Fight Club"?
The author divides the Narrator's behavior into physical self-destruction (fights, self-mutilation) and mental self-destruction (rebellion against society and capitalism).
What role does the mother figure play in the development of DID in the characters?
In both "Psycho" and "Black Swan", the mother is identified as a dominant, despotic figure whose influence and past traumas significantly contribute to the daughter's or son's psychological instability.
How does the "fast cutting" technique relate to the themes of the films?
The author argues that "fast cutting" is used to convey a sense of chaos, which is intrinsically linked to the troubled mental states and deteriorating personalities of the protagonists.
- Quote paper
- Przemysław Pietruszka (Author), 2012, Picture of Dual Personality and Self-Destruction presented in PSYCHO, BLACK SWAN and FIGHT CLUB, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/207801
