AVILA, Rechman V. 3/22/2019
Another reason why people
MAEd. LITT LITT 506 – Literature and Psychology
A STRANDED MERMAID WITH A CALL FROM AFAR:
AN ANALYSIS ON THE ADJUSTMENTS AND
MALADJUSTMENTS OF ELLIDA WANGEL THROUGH THE
FREUDIAN DEFENSE MECHANISMS
Key words: adjustment, maladjustment, anxiety, guilt, Freud
displacement, denial, sublimation, repression, projection,
intellectualization, reaction formation, acceptance, affiliation
Introduction
“The Lady from the Sea” (1888) is a play written by
the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen which was inspired
by the ballad Agnete og Havmanden – a story of a merman
who returned to claim back his unfaithful wife who married
another man. The woman thought that the merman was
already dead so she remarried. Ibsen’s play introduces one
of his notable character Hilde Wangel who is later portrayed
in his play “The Master Builder”. However, the play does not
focus on Hilde but on Ellida Wangel, Hilde’s stepmother.
Synopsis
The play centers on Ellida Wangel, a daughter of a
light-house keeper, and grew up where the fjord meets the
open sea; she loves the sea. She is married to Dr. Wangel,
a doctor in a small town in the mountains. Dr. Wangel has
two children, Bolette and Hilde, with his previous wife, now
deceased. Ellida and Wangel had a son who died; this put a
big strain on their marriage. Fearing the mental health of
Ellida, Wangel invited Arnholm, Bolette’s former tutor and
now a headmaster of the school. Arnholm thought that the
person who is waiting for him is Bolette, so when he had the
chance he proposed to her. Bolette agrees to marry him as
she saw this as a chance to liberate herself.
Years before her marriage to Wangel, Ellida married
a sailor, but because he murdered his captain he had to
escape. Nevertheless, he asked her to wait until he comes
back. She tried to break the engagement but he had a strong
grip on her and on her emotions. One day he came. Ellida
had to choose between the sailor and Dr. Wangel. Ellida
asked her freedom from Wangel, so she can choose freely,
which he gave to her. In the end Ellida chose Wangel. The
play ends with the sailor leaving and Ellida and Wangel going
back with their lives again.
Adjustment and Maladjustment
Lyngstrand. Yes, there's a good deal of traffic here, I think.
Ballested. And lots of summer visitors come here too. I often
hear our good town will lose its individuality with all these
foreign goings on.
-ACT I
Adjustment in psychology, refers to the behavioral
process of conflicting needs, or needs challenged obstacles
in the environment Humans and animals always try to
acclimatize themselves to the ever changing environment.
Thus, maladjustment occurs when there is inability to make
a normal adjustment to some need or there is stress in the
environment. When a person is faced with stress, like that of
Ellida, he/she tries to look for ways to adjust in the situation.
When a person is stressed or is faced with a very unlikely
situation anxiety occurs.
One way to battle anxiety is to subject the self to
defenses. Consciously or unconsciously, humans are using
defense mechanisms to make sure that there is a
compromise between their individual needs and the society
they live in. Defense mechanism, (Freud: 1894, 1896) as
cited by Mcleod (2017) ‘are psychological strategies that are
unconsciously used to protect a person from anxiety arising
from unacceptable thoughts or feelings’. As for Ellida Wangel
who lost a child, the trauma made her a different person
toward the people around her.
use defense mechanism is to hide the guilt they have of the
things, good or bad, which they did.
This paper will try to identify the defense
mechanisms employed by Ellida Wangel in ‘The Lady from
the Sea’ to adjust to the societal needs (to be wife and a
mother) and find her equilibrium. Below is a figure showing
how defense mechanism works on a person according to
Ellida’s trauma and guilt made her subject herself to
different defense mechanisms. Some of these are
displacement, denial, sublimation, repression, projection,
regression, intellectualization, reaction formation,
acceptance, affiliation.
Displacement
According to Mcleod, displacement is taking out our
frustrations, feelings, and impulses on people or objects that
are less threatening. One example is when ‘the boss’’ angers
you, instead of confronting the boss, a person tends to be
angry toward someone or something that poses no threat.
In the case of Ellida, from the very time she lost her
child she became different. Dr. Wangel noticed this change
and he started using tranquilizers to prevent Ellida from
doing any harm to herself (though it was not mention that
there is desire in her to hurt herself) because her actions
were different – maladjusted.
However, looking from the perspective of Ellida, one
would say that she channeled her anxiety and trauma to less
threatening ideas like being alone (most of the time) and
putting in the mind of Ballested to make a painting.
Everyday, Ellida would swim in the fjord were it is
met by the sea. This frightens Wangel, as she may harm
herself or drown herself. And Ellida herself, may have the
desire to kill herself as projected in the painting created by
Ballested. This is because her unconscious is trying to
transfer the intense emotion that she has from its original
object [trauma and guilt] to another one [painting or
swimming].
Lyngstrand. Is there to be a figure, too?
Ballested. Yes. Here by the rocks in the foreground a mermaid
is to lie, half-dead.
Lyngstrand. Why is she to be half-dead?
Ballested. She has wandered hither from the sea, and can't find
her way out again. And so, you see, she lies there dying in the
brackish water.
Lyngstrand. Ah, I see.
Ballested. The mistress of this house put it into my head to do
something of the kind.
-ACT I
Denial and Isolation
Being one of the stages of grief, denial cannot be
separated from the concept of defense mechanism.
According American Psychiatric Association as cited by de
Guzman (2019), denial is ‘a defense occurring when an
individual copes with a stressor or conflict by refusing to
acknowledge a painful aspect of their external reality or
subjective experience that would be discernible to others.
When Wangel cannot take anymore, he talked to Ellida and
told her that they are going back to the place where Ellida
grew up for her to regain her senses. Wangel feels like Ellida
needs to be back to the open sea where she belongs but
Ellida said she cannot go back because she does not want
to sacrifice Wangel’s life just for her to be happy. This denies
her desire to be with the sea. On the other hand, as a result
of this denial she isolates herself by swimming everyday –
alone.
Ellida’s habit of swimming everyday could be seen
as maladaptive but because it has become her habit, people,
including Hilde Wangel seem to have adapted the idea that
Ellida’s swim is but normal. Or it could also mean that she
doesn’t really feel that Ellida is her mother (but a mere
stepmother).
Hilde (by the balustrade, not returning his bow). Bolette said
you had ventured in today.
Lyngstrand. Yes; I took the liberty of coming in for a moment.
Hilde. Have you been out for a morning walk?
Lyngstrand. Oh, no! nothing came of the walk this morning.
Hilde. Have you been bathing, then?
Lyngstrand. Yes; I've been in the water a little while. I saw your
mother down there. She was going into her bathing-machine.
Hilde. Who was?
Lyngstrand. Your mother.
-Act I
Repression
Repression is defined by Erdelyi (2006) as
mechanism that acts to keep information out of conscious
awareness but the memories don’t just disappear. For
example, a person abused as a child might have a hard time
forming relationships. As for Ellida, the loss of her child
caused her isolation where she repressed her emotion by not
giving much attention or showing love toward Bolette and
Hilde. This is perhaps the reason why Bolette does not really
care much for her while Hilde desires for her love so much.
Consider this excerpt.
Hilde (going towards ELLIDA). Are you going to stay with us
after all?
Ellida. Yes, dear Hilde, if you'll have me.
Hilde (struggling between tears and laughter). Fancy! Have
you!
-ACT V
Sublimation
According to Baumeister, et al (n.d.), sublimation is
when one acts out unacceptable impulses by converting
these into acceptable forms. To Freud, sublimation is a sign
of maturity that allows people to function normally in socially
acceptable ways. An example is a surgeon, the operating
rooms and the operations are the ways on how the emotions
of this person is sublimated.
When Lyngstrand visited the Wangels, he happened
to see the preparations of the Wangel family for the birthday
of the ‘mother’. When Lyngstrand came back he had flowers
for Ellida (thinking that it was Ellida who is pertained to as the
‘mother’). Instead of getting angry, Ellida pretended that she
is the ‘mother’ to whom the girls were pertaining to. If Ellida
was a ‘common person’ she would have been angry for she
might feel betrayed not being included in the preparation.
Ellida (smiling). But, my dear Mr. Lyngstrand, oughtn't you to
give these lovely flowers to Mr. Arnholm himself? For you know
it's really he Lyngstrand (looking uncertainly at both of them).
Excuse me, but I don't know this gentleman. It's only—I've only
come about the birthday, Mrs. Wangel.
Ellida. Birthday? You've made a mistake, Mr. Lyngstrand.
There's no birthday here today.
Lyngstrand (smiling slyly). Oh! I know all about that! But I didn't
think it was to be kept so dark.
Ellida. What do you know?
Lyngstrand. That it is Madam's birthday.
Ellida. Mine?
Arnholm (looks questioningly at her). Today? Surely not.
Ellida (to LYNGSTRAND). Whatever made you think that?
Lyngstrand. It was Miss Hilde who let it out. I just looked in here
a little while ago, and I asked the young ladies why they were
decorating the place like this, with flowers and flags.
Ellida. Well?
Lyngstrand. And so Miss Hilde said, "Why, today is mother's
birthday."
Ellida. Mother's!—I see.
Arnholm. Aha! (He and ELLIDA exchange a meaning look.)
Well, now that the young man knows about it—
Ellida (to LYNGSTRAND). Well, now that you know—
Lyngstrand (offering her the bouquet again). May I take the
liberty of congratulating you?
Ellida (taking the flowers). My best thanks. Won't you sit down a
moment, Mr. Lyngstrand? (ELLIDA, ARNHOLM, and
LYNGSTRAND sit down in the arbour.) This—birthday business—
was to have been kept secret, Mr. Arnholm.
Arnholm. So I see. It wasn't for us uninitiated folk!
Ellida (putting down the bouquet). Just so. Not for the
uninitiated.
Lyngstrand. 'Pon my word, I won't tell a living soul about it.
-ACT I
Projection
Freud says that this mechanism involves taking our
own unacceptable qualities or feelings ascribing them to
other people. For example, if you dislike someone, you might
instead believe that the person doesn’t like you.
Ellida, being guilty of continuously loving her sailor
lover, in spite of his absence, projects it to . The man had
eyes with color like that of the sea. A reason why Ellida likes
swimming – to feel that she is with him. Most likely, her desire
to swim is her connection with the man, who after marrying
her (a ritual he invented involving the sea) left because he
was in hiding. Thus, Ellida married another man, Dr. Wangel,
for the convenience of her life.
However, Ellida tried to blame Wangel for bringing
her against her will and making her his wife. Ellida said that
he only married him because of the convenience of life he
can give. So, he put the blame on Wangel on why their
marriage is not a marriage at all.
Ellida. That too, perhaps, by the way; although you didn't in
the least know if I were fit for the position. Why, you had only
seen me and spoken to me a few times. Then you wanted
me, and so—
Wangel. Yes, you may call it as you will.
Ellida. And I, on my side—why, I was so helpless and
bewildered, and so absolutely alone. Oh! it was so natural I
should accept the bargain, when you came and proposed to
provide for me all my life.
Wangel. Assuredly it did not seem to me a providing for you,
dear Ellida. I asked you honestly if you would share with me
and the children the little I could call my own.
Ellida. Yes, you did; but all the same, I should never have
accepted! Never have accepted that at any price! Not sold
myself! Better the meanest work—better the poorest life—
after one's own choice.
Wangel (rising). Then have the five—six years that we have
lived together been so utterly worthless to you?
Ellida. Oh! Don't think that, Wangel. I have been as well cared
for here as human being could desire. But I did not enter your
house freely. That is the thing.
Rationalization
This pertains to the mechanism that explains an
unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or logical
manner avoiding the true reasons for behavior. An example
would be a person who is turned down for a date might end
up saying that he/she was not attracted to the person
anyway.
In Ellida’s case, people are noticing her
homesickness. In particular, Dr. Wangel noticed the change
in her behavior and so he asked her to go with him to where
she came from. As an answer, she said that she doesn’t want
to sacrifice the happiness and life of Dr. Wangel. And yet,
she remained as the maladjusted Ellida. Another is Ellida
keeps on thinking that she doesn’t belong to their home, that
her home is the sea.
When I go, if I do go, either with him tonight, or to Skjoldviken
tomorrow, I haven't a key to give up, an order to give about
anything whatsoever. I am absolutely rootless in your house—I
have been absolutely outside everything from the very first.
-ACT IV
Reaction Formation
This is a mechanism that shows reduction of anxiety
by taking up the opposite feeling, impulse, or behavior. An
example is by treating someone you strongly dislike in the
friendliest manner. This is most obvious when the stranger
(sailor) came back to ‘fetch’ Ellida.
With her reaction, Ellida despises and is afraid of the
sailor and yet she has always been waiting for this instance.
The very exchange of dialogues shows how maladaptive
Ellida has become.
The Stranger (goes slowly along by the fence and peeps into
the garden. When he catches sight of ELLIDA he stands still,
looks at her fixedly and searchingly, and speaks in a low
voice). Good-evening, Ellida!
Ellida (turns round with a cry). Oh dear! have you come at
last!
The Stranger. Yes, at last.
Ellida (looking at him astonished and frightened). Who are
you? Do you seek anyone here?
The Stranger. You surely know that well enough, Ellida.
Ellida (starting). What is this! How do you address me? Whom
are you looking for?
The Stranger. Well, I suppose I'm looking for you.
Ellida (shuddering). Oh! (She stares at him, totters back,
uttering a half-suffocating cry.) The eyes!—the eyes!
The Stranger. Are you beginning to recognise me at last? I
knew you at once, Ellida.
Ellida. The eyes! Don't look at me like that! I shall cry for help!
-ACT II
Acceptance
Some may argue that acceptance is not a defense
mechanism at all. For others it is, taking for instance the idea
of getting a failing grade. If a person continues to think of it,
it will cause anxiety and stress. Thus, the only way to lessen
or remove the stress and anxiety is acceptance. With this, a
person becomes adjusted, considering that maladjustment
could be seen as ‘being not used to what is presented before
the person.’
Ellida realized that she must face the man. This is
the very reason why she asked for her freedom from Wangel.
Though, he really loved Ellida, Wangel freed her and let her
choose between him and the sailor.
Ellida. And so I have nothing to help me to resist. Here, at
home, there is no single thing that attracts me and binds me. I
am so absolutely rootless in your house, Wangel. The children
are not mine—their hearts, I mean—never have been.
Wangel. I thought to do all for the best for you.
Ellida. Yes, Wangel, I know it so well! But there is retribution in
that, a something that avenges itself. For now I find no binding
power here-nothing to strengthen me—nothing to help me—
nothing to draw me towards what should have been the
strongest possession of us both.
Wangel. I see it, Ellida. And that is why from t-morrow you shall
have back your freedom. Henceforth, you shall live your own
life.
-ACT IV
Affiliation
Of the other defense mechanism, this one entails the
support of other people. When a child feels vilified he/she
looks for someone to help him/her or be on his/her side.
When Ellida decided to face her aggressor, that is the sailor,
she turned for helped to Wangel. She asked him to save her
from the man. The freedom that she asked from Wangel is
actually a way to affiliate herself.
On the night when, the stranger/sailor came back
from Ellida she was already free of her choice. She was free
from Wangel and their marriage. So, she was just tied to one
relationship – to the sailor.
Surprisingly, the end of the play showed how
adjusted or maladjusted Ellida was. Some would expect that
after asking Wangel the freedom she desires, she would
leave the place and go with the stranger. But this isn’t the
case, she eventually ended the relationship she had with the
stranger/sailor and after the stranger leaves she came back
to Wangel to tell him that she is now free to choose him.
Ellida (turns towards him, looks firmly at him, and speaks in a
resolute voice). I shall never go with you after this!
The Stranger. You will not!
Ellida (clinging to WANGEL). I shall never go away from you
after this.
The Stranger. So it is over?
Ellida. Yes. Over for all time.
The Stranger. I see. There is something here stronger than my
will.
Ellida. Your will has not a shadow of power over me any
longer. To me you are as one dead—who has come home
from the sea, and who returns to it again. I no longer dread
you. And I am no longer drawn to you.
The Stranger. Goodbye, Mrs. Wangel! (He swings himself over
the fence.) Henceforth, you are nothing but a shipwreck in
my life that I have tided over. (He goes out.)
Wangel (looks at her for a while). Ellida, your mind is like the
sea—it has ebb and flow. Whence came the change?
Ellida. Ah! don't you understand that the change came—was
bound to come when I could choose in freedom?
Wangel. And the unknown?—It no longer lures you?
Ellida. Neither lures nor frightens me. I could have seen it—
gone out into it, if only I myself had willed it. I could have
chosen it. And that is why I could also renounce it.
Conclusion
Displacement, denial, sublimation, repression,
projection, intellectualization, reaction formation,
acceptance, and affiliation are only few of the long list of
defense mechanisms people are capable of using or
subjecting themselves to. Freud started the trend and was
continued by many other psychologists, including his own
daughter – Anna.
These defense mechanisms are only part of the
bigger picture: man’s desire to belong to society. Thus, the
concept of adjustment and maladjustment seeks to be
understood further not only in the field of psychology but also
in the field of mental health. Ellida’s experiences will not
represent the whole consciousness of humanity but her story
is something that may be used to understand a part of human
psychology.
References
American Psychiatric Association. 2000. Diagnostic and statistical
manual of mental disorders. 4th Edition. Washington, DC.
Blackman, J. 2011. Defense Mechanisms in the 21st Century.
Synergy. Psychiatric Reading Worth Reading. Volume 16.
Number 2. Spring/Summer 2011.
De Guzman, A.C. 2019. Ivan Ilyich through the stages of grief. The
psychology of dying in Tolstoy’s novella. (Unpublished)
Erdelyi, M. 2006. The unified theory of repression. Behavioral and Brain
Sciences. Brooklyn, New York.
Mcleod, S. 2017. Defense mechanisms. Retrieved from
https;//www.simplypsychology.org