An Exploration of Alfred’s Bashfulness in Stewart Edward White’s The Girl Who Got Rattled through Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the character of Alfred in Stewart Edward White’s The Girl Who Got Rattled through Freud’s psychoanalytic framework, specifically examining the roles of the id, ego, and superego in shaping Alfred’s bashfulness and bravery. The research uses qualitative content analysis, focusing on key scenes and interactions in the narrative as primary data. By examining Alfred’s actions, thoughts, and interactions, particularly with Miss Caldwell, the study identifies how his id emerges in moments of instinctual courage, while his ego mediates these impulses to maintain social propriety. The superego exerts significant influence, restraining Alfred’s desires and reinforcing a pattern of bashfulness and social inhibition. Findings reveal that Alfred’s inner struggles represent a dynamic interplay between unconscious impulses and social expectations, illustrating the psychological dimensions of his character. Ultimately, this analysis concludes that Alfred’s bashfulness and bravery stem from a complex interaction of the id, ego, and superego, shedding light on how characters can embody the multifaceted nature of human personality.