How William Golding Uses Freud's Id, Ego, And Superego To Repent The Characters True Identities

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William Golding once said, “What a man does defiles him, not what is done by others”. In the quote, Golding states “What a man does defiles him” this creates the effect that their actions define them “not what is done by others”. Today, we see this everywhere, for instance, a person speaking negatively, defines him as a negative person, while others could have made the conversation in a negative way. This comes through when William Golding uses the character's actions as defiance of their identities.

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In The Lord of the Flies; William Golding uses the complex characters, Jack, Ralph, and Piggy to represent Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego, which helps to reveal they're true identities.

In The Lord of The Flies, William Golding uses Ralph to show Ego through leadership. For example, “ You hunters! You can laugh! But I tell your smoke is more important than the pig, however often you kill one. Do all of you see?’ He spread his arms wide and turned to the whole triangle.

‘We’ve got to make smoke up there – or die' (Golding 86-87). This further demonstrates that Ralph is the Ego since Golding reveals he struggles with Id and Superego. Another example is, “I hit him… the spear stuck in a bit.” “Didn’t you see me?” “Ralph talked on, excitedly” (Golding 113). William Golding reveals his struggles with Id and Superego while using Freud's psychoanalytic criticism to show the struggles within Ralph. Freud explains Id as “ the part of the personality that contains our primitive impulses- such as thirst, anger, hunger, and the desire for instant gratification or release'.

Ralph demonstrates the Id within him and shows the struggle with finding his true identity and how leaders often struggle with right and wrong, like Ralph. William Golding shows the identity of Ralph as leadership.

In The Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses Jack to show Ego and the early stages of savagery. For example, “Jack smacked Piggy’s head. Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks” (Golding 71). “- I apologize” (Golding 72). William Golding reveals that Jack is changing from Ego to Id. Thought out the story Jack's Id is revolved around his savagery. William Golding changes Jack one-third through the book from Ego to Id and reveals that Jack has become more savage than ever. Another thor example is, “The chief and Roger” “They hate you, Ralph, They’re going to do you” “They’re going to hunt you tomorrow.”(Golding 188). William Golding reveals Jack's savagery while using Freud's psychoanalytic criticism to show Jack's savagery though Id. Freud explains the Id as “that the Id is based on our pleasure principle” “As the devil sits there, he tells the Ego to base behavior on how the action will influence the self, specifically how it will bring the self-pleasure”. William Golding uses Jack to avoid pain, reduce tension, and gain pleasure to become the Id. Jack demonstrates Id and Ego within him through savagery to show his true identity and how savagery can change a person. William Golding shows the identity of Jack as a savage.

In The Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses Piggy to represents the struggles between Ego and Id. Piggy shows use that his Ego is turn on by his intelligence. For example, “We got a lot of sticks we could have a sundial each. Then we should know what the time was”(Golding 65). This furthers demonstrates that Piggy is Ego. Golding uses the Ego in this quote to show Piggy’s intelligence, William Golding all so reveals that Piggy has struggled with Id and Superego, Another example is, 'We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us' ( Golding 16). Golding reveals Piggy's intelligence and that Piggy struggles with Superego. Another example of Golding showing Piggy’s struggles with Ego and Superego is, “It was an accident,” said Piggy suddenly, “that’s what it was. An accident.” “His voice shrilled again”. “Coming in the dark—he hadn’t no business crawling like that out of the dark”. “He was batty”. “He asked for it.” “He gesticulated widely again”. “It was an accident”(Golding 157). William Golding reveals that Piggy portraying the Id and Piggy struggles with the Ego with the inside of him. Piggy demonstrates the Id within him and shows the struggle with finding his true identity and how intelligence can make things self-minded, like Piggy. William Golding shows the identity of Piggy as intelligent.

Ultimately, Golding uses Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego to repent Jacks, Ralphs, and Piggys true identities. Jack represents Savagery through Id to show his true identity, While Ralph and Piggy represent Ego all the time with changes between Id and Superego. Piggy represents Intelligence through Ego to show his true identity. Finally, Ralph represents Leadership through Ego to show his true identity. Golding uses Id, Ego, and Superego to help define Jacks, Ralphs, and Piggys true identities.