Psychoanalytic Analysis of Ambrose Bierce's The Boarded Window (1891)

Abstract

This study examines Ambrose Bierce's "The Boarded Window" through psychoanalytic analysis, based on the seminal writings of Sigmund Freud and his daughter Anna Freud. The study goes into the protagonist, Murlock's, psychological subtleties, studying parts of the conscious and unconscious, dreams and reality, as well as protective mechanisms. The analysis reveals the impact of Freudian notions on Murlock's behavior through qualitative research and paying close attention to textual reading, elucidating themes of repression, regression, and displacement. The main goals are to investigate the essential features of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis in the short tale and to examine the significance of Anna Freud's defense mechanisms to the narrative. The results show a complex interplay of unconscious processes, dreams as a portal to suppressed realities, and the expression of defense systems in Murlock's mind. This study adds to our understanding of how psychoanalytic theories benefit literary interpretation, particularly in the context of Ambrose Bierce's terrifying narrative.