Psychoanalytic criticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychoanalytic criticism - Essay Example After ordering beer for both of them, the girl is standing and looking at the hills. Her mind is clearly not focused on the drinks ordered, but other things. She could be thinking about a new life and the operation. She makes the comment "They look like white elephants" (2). She is avoiding the topic of abortion, and the superego is acting as a conscience. The first to broach the subject of the abortion is the American man. He begins the conversation with no pretext leading to the subject: "It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig" (3). He is attempting to convince her to go through with the operation. When he brings the subject to light, she looks at the ground. This could be seen as a struggle between the man's id and the woman's superego. He further presses her on the subject by saying "I know you wouldn't mind it, Jig. It's really not anything. It's just to let the air in" (3). He has become pushy on the issue. Again, Jig says nothing. Not only is she submissive, but she is allowing him to bully her into a decision she is not yet ready to make. Yet, Jig's superego is still overriding the desires of the man's id. The man makes the statement that he does not want anyone else but her. He is stating very clearly that he does not want the child.