Question

Explain Freud's theory of consciousness, as split among the id, ego, and superego. Who were the surrealists and what role did Freudian theory play in their art?

Answer 1

According to Freud, the human psyche comprises of thre distinct components: the id, ego and superego. The id is the repository of basic and is instinctual drives and is the source of our bodily needs, wants, desires, and impulses, that are particularly sexual and aggressive in nature. The ego is operates on the reality principle, and seeks to realistically fulfill the demands of the id. It enables the individual to delay gratifying immediate needs and function effectively in the world. Lastly, the superego represents the moral branch of the psyche and reflects the internalization of societal and cultural rules, mainly taught by parents and other authoritative figures.

Surrealists believed in engaging the unconscious aspects of the mind and creativity. They sought to find the “superior reality” and attempted to access the unconscious part of the mind, which always appeared to be guarded by the waking disciplined mind. This idea was closely linked to Freud’s psychoanalysis, that emphasised the critical role of the unconscious mind in every aspect of human thought and behaviour. Furthermore, surrealists aimed to free themselves of the constraints of society by creating works that challenged traditional art. This is analogous to Freud’s conception of the repression of an individual’s primal desires due to the limits placed by society.