Approvement the Analysis of Dieter Dengler's Defense Mechanism in Rescue Dawn Movie English Letters Department Letters And
APPROVEMENT
THE ANALYSIS OF DIETER DENGLER’S DEFENSE MECHANISM IN RESCUE DAWN MOVIE
A Thesis
Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty in partial Fulfillment of the requirements for
By: Woro Endah Sitoresmi 105026000921
Approved By:
Advisor,
Mohammad Supardi, S.S.
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY “SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH” JAKARTA 2008
i ABSTRACT
Woro Endah Sito Resmi, “The Analysis of Dieter Dengler’s Defense Mechanism in Rescue Dawn Movie”. Skripsi. Jakarta: Letters and Humanities Faculty, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah, July 2008.
The paper examines Dieter Dengler’s defense mechanism in surviving process from the Vietcong jail as the main character in Rescue Dawn movie. The paper looks at one problem: How are Dieter Dengler’s surviving process viewed from the concept of defense mechanism. The objective of the research is intended to describe Dieter Dengler’s defense mechanism in surviving process from the jail that implied in this movie. This movie is analyzed carefully and accurately using the theory of Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis; it is Ego defense mechanism concept. The data on this research are got from the unit of analysis, the sources, and the analysis from the writer.
As it is fulfilled, the writer finds out that Dieter applied his defense mechanism through Eros instinct, fantasy, repression, format reaction, rationalization and sublimation. His defense mechanism becomes the power which leads and dominates all of his actions in order to get the freedom.
ii LEGALIZATION
A thesis entitled “The analysis of Dieter Dengler’s Defense Mechanism in
Rescue Dawn movie” has been defended before the Letters and Humanities Faculty’s
Examination Committee on October, 16 2008. The thesis has already been accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree Strata One.
Jakarta, October 16, 2008
Examination Committee
Chair Person, Secretary,
Dr. H. M. Farkhan, M.Pd. Drs. A. Saefuddin, M.Pd. NIP. 150299480 NIP. 150261902
Members:
Examiner I Examiner II
Dini Masitah, M.Hum Inayatul Chusna, M.Hum NIP. 150317724 NIP. 150331233
iii DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the next.
Jakarta, July 16, 2008
Woro Endah Sitoresmi
iv ACKNOWLEDGMENT
All praises go to Allah, the lord of the universe, the most beneficent, and the most merciful who created and gave everything to human being. Because of his blessing that is given in every minute of the writer’s family and the writer herself, the writer is able to finish the thesis that had been delayed for a long time.
The writer would like to dedicate this research to the writer’s beloved parents and sisters: Alm. Bastoni, mamah Sainah Majid, Nina, Ifat and Wagino Rais who have patiently taken care of the writer and have given the lovingness and motivation in doing anything that relates to the writer’s thesis.
The gratitude is dedicated to Dr. H. Abdul Chair, M. A. The Dean of Adab and Humanities Faculty; Dr. H. Muhammad Farkhan M.Pd, the head of English
Letters Departments; All of lecturers in Letters and Humanities Faculty. Additional special thanks goes to Mohammad Supardi, S.S, the writer’s advisor for continuing guidance and support in this research. The writer realizes without his critics and help, this paper will mean nothing.
The writer would like to expresses her great appreciation to Velma Alicia who becomes the writer’s best friend. Velma thanks for the support and encourage. Her great appreciation also goes to Miss Rosida Erowati who patiently and kindly guides the writer in learning the cinematography.
v The gratitude is also dedicated to the writer’s classmates; those are Aby Cool,
Cutie, Reiha, Irma, Nova, Lita, Yanti, Nia, Enti, for good relationship and a great love. The writer must say thanks to her friends in Zahwan Kostan, they are K Rose,
Eha, Tiank, Nining, Ira and Zia for being together and brotherhood.
The writer also would like to express her appreciation to her friends in LINK
CIPUTAT those are Nengkom, Hiton, Nia, Jaamus, Meri, Buntink, Eka, Ira, Hilda.
Guys, I am proud to be part of LINK!
May Allah bless all of them, Amin. Finally, the writer hopes that this paper would be useful for her in particular, and for the students of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah
Jakarta, and also for the readers in general.
Jakarta, July 16, 2008
Woro Endah Sitoresmi
vi TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT …………………...…………………………..……………………….. i
APPROVEMENT ………………………………………………………………….. ii
LEGALIZATION …………………………………………………………………. iii
DECLARATION………………………...………………………………………….iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT…..……………………………………………………….. v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………………… vii
LIST OF FIGURES (SCENE)…...……………………………………………….....x
LIST OF PICTURES AND TABLE……………………………………………….xi
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study ……..……………………………………… 1
B. The scope of Problem ……..………………………….………….. 4
C. Research Question ….....………………………………………….. 4
D. Objective of the Research…………………………………………4
E. Significance of the Research ……..……………………………… 5
F. Research Methodology ….……………………….……………… .5
1. Method of the Research……………………………………… 5
2. The Unit of Analysis ………………………………………… 5
3. Instrument of the Research …....…………...………………… 5
4. Place and Time of the Research …………...………………… 5
vii CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Sigmund Freud’s of Psychoanalysis Theory ……………….…….. . 6
1. Defense Mechanism………………… ………………………… 6
a) Repression ……..……………………………………..….... 8
b) Format Reaction……….………………………………...... 9
c) Rationalization……………………………………………..9
d) Sublimation………………………………………………...9
2. Life instincts and Death instinct ………………………………10
3. Fantasy and Imaginer works…………………………………...12
B. The Concept of Cinematography ….…………………………….. 15
a. Shot……… ……….……………………………………….…. 15
CHAPTER III RESEARCH FINDINGS
A. Data Description…………………………………………………17
B. The Analysis……………………………………………………..18
1. Dieter’s Eros Instinct ………………………………..……… 20
2. Defense Mechanism……………………………………….….23
3. Fantasy……………… ……………………………………..29
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion……………………………………………………….32
B. Suggestion……………………………………………………….33
BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………….……………………... 34
viii LIST OF FIGURES (SCENE)
1. Life and Death instinct………………………………………………………12
2. Dieter Dengler……………………………………………………………. ..19
3. Breaking the fence………………………………………………………….21
4. Dieter’s birthday…………………………………………………………... 22
5. Shooting the guard…………………………………………………………..23
6. Dreaming of Duane………………………………………………………….25
7. Arrange the plan………………………………………………………...... 27
8. Opening the cuff…………………………………………………………….28
9. Confession of childhood………………………………………………….....28
10. Dieter eats the caterpillar…………………………………………………...30
11. It’s Lunch……………………………………………………………………30
ix LIST OF PICTURES AND TABLE
1. Freud’s iceberg theory………………………………………………………. 7 2. Sigmund Freud……………………………………………………………….7 3. Dieter’s Defense Mechanism……………………………………………..…17
x
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study Psychoanalysis has a special connection with the cinema before it becomes one of methods, which is confessed as the most suitable in understanding the cinematography. This idea is taken from the France Critic Art. It is based on historical background that Psychoanalysis and the cinema grow up in the same time in 1895’s. It means that the cinema process as the same as unconsciousness mind, because it creates any pictures including imagination and dream.1
Unconsciousness is the basic concept which has the important meaning in understanding Psychoanalysis. The historical background above describes that
Psychoanalysis and the cinematography have special relationship since 1895’s when they grew up together in that time. The special relationship tries to explain that
Psychoanalysis and cinematography correlate each other. It explains that the cinema processes as the same as unconsciousness mind in Psychoanalysis because the cinema can describe the dream and imaginative pictures which both are the part of this theory.
1 A note taken from “Seminar Membaca Film by Rosida Erowati: Ciputat, April 08, 2008
xi Based on this historical background, the writer tries to describe the relationship between Psychoanalysis and cinematography in a movie. Rescue Dawn a movie by Werner Herzog tells the viewers about how to survive in the enemies’ area which fills of fight and sacrifice. Rescue Dawn is an extraordinary movie which needs a brief-self to watch it. The most significant indication of this movie is about its theme. It is a movie about war movie that correlates with friendship theme. The actions in scenes to scenes are presented uniquely.
Rescue Dawn describes how human being’s attitude and behavior relate to psychological aspects. It is proven from Dieter’s psychology that can be known from any psychological phenomena which are suffered by him when he reacts or responds an action from scene to scene. Dieter’s psychological character leads the viewer to elaborate his psychology and mental changes. This is why Rescue Dawn is very different from other movies. It takes Christian Bale and Steve Zahn as the famous actors who act the action/thriller Hollywood movies in common. The pleasure of this movie also is located at the interesting story and supported by pretty audio visual setting to spoil the viewers.
The writer is motivated to analyze one of literary works entitled “Rescue
Dawn” a movie by Werner Herzog. This movie is based on true event. The story is about Dieter Dengler who dreamed of flying since his childhood in wartime
Germany, that is why he volunteered to become a Navy pilot after his family moved
xii to US. His first top secret mission is over Laos but his plane is shot down in Vietnam and trapped in an impassable jungle which is far from US control. In the middle of the story, Laotians (The men who live in Laos) capture Dieter Dengler. He is dragged to Vietcong jail. Everything changes there. He meets with five Americans who have the same destiny with him in the jail. Here, the situation gets harder, everything takes risk. They try to escape from the jail, then they succeed to escape, but the betrayal among them breaks the freedom. In the end of story, it is Dieter who can survive from
Laotians and find US back as his country.
In this movie there are two main characters such as Dieter Dengler and Duane
Martin. But, the writer only chooses Dieter Dengler as an object research. This movie tells the viewer about how to survive of Captain Dieter Dengler to set free from the enemies in Laos and Vietnam in the beginning of World War II. Therefore the writer chooses Rescue Dawn because the writer thinks that it is very interesting to analyze the character of Dieter Dengler using psychoanalysis theory of Sigmund Freud (the concept of defense mechanism) combining with its cinematography.
It is usually known that everyone who ever gets battlefield will be battle- traumatic. Dieter Dengler also faces psychology and mental changes with over reality pressure. It can be connected with the Sigmund Freud theory. According to Freud that everyone will face the worries or anxiety of something. This concept (defense mechanism) is used to alert the dangerous which could be reality, neurotic, or
xiii behavior worries. The usage of cinematography is to make the movie is easier to understand the plot and makes it more interesting to watch.
Based on the background study above that Dieter uses defense mechanism concept in his survival process from the jail, therefore the writer is interested to analyze Dieter Dengler viewed from the concept of defense mechanism. It is because of her strong eagerness to know about the psychoanalysis in exploring the literature.
On the other hand, in various ways, a psychoanalysis approach has opened new avenues to the study literature and to elaborate it more. Therefore, the writer uses theory of psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud (defense mechanism) to know the character’s survival in the Rescue Dawn a movie by Werner Herzog.
B. The scope of Problem
According to the background of the study above and to limit the research, the writer focuses the problem on the main character in this movie, Dieter Dengler, using
Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis (defense mechanism concept).
C. Research Question
Based on the background of the study and scope of problem above, the writer tries to identify the problem by the following question:
xiv “How are Dieter Dengler’s surviving process viewed from the concept of defense mechanism?”
D. Objective of the Research
The objectives of this research are intended to describe Dieter Dengler’s defense mechanism in surviving process from the jail as that implied in this movie itself.
E. Significance of the Research
Generally, the writer hopes the result of this research will help the readers to understand the movie especially based on point of view psychoanalysis theory about defense mechanism and the cinematography concept reflected in the Rescue Dawn movie.
F. Research Methodology
1. Method of the Research
This research uses qualitative method with a descriptive analysis. First, the writer watches the movie of Rescue Dawn, captures the certain scenes, and then analyzes the movie based on defense mechanism concept and cinematography.
2. The unit of Analysis
xv The unit of Analysis of this study is “Rescue Dawn” a movie by Werner
Herzog that is produced in 2007 by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Inc.
3. Instrument of the Research
Instrument of the research is the writer herself by watching the movie Rescue
Dawn, and then analyze it based on Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis theory (defense mechanism).
4. Place and Time of the Research
This research takes place on January until July 2007-2008 in State Islamic
University, Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
xvi
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
In this research the writer uses the concept of defense mechanism and cinematography to understand the problem faced by the character of Dieter Dengler.
The theory of psychoanalysis which is used in this research is the theory of Freud that is related to the personality. Cinematography is all of elements include all of materials that are used to tell what is story about, so they are variety shots, the most dominant of point of view, snoop shot techniques, the graphics usage method, and lighting. Dynamic soundtrack and its editing are being concerned.2 Therefore, the writer chooses the theory of Freud about structure and development of personality and cinematography as references to analyze the character of Dieter Dengler.
A. Sigmund Freud’s of psychoanalysis theory
1. Defense Mechanism
Sigmund Freud is a prominent figure who is very creative and productive in writing works. One of his famous works is the theory about psychoanalysis. It is developed in the late nineteenth century by this Austrian physician.3 He is well
2A note taken from “Psikoanalisis Sebagai Pendekatan Sinema” by Apsanti Djokosujanto: Jakarta, Mei 27-30, 2001 3 Freud mempunyai tiga makna berbeda tentang mengapa ia memberi nama teorinya dengan Psikoanalisa. Pertama, istilah psikoanalisa dipakai untuk menunjukkan sebuah metode penelitian
xvii known as the founder of the unconsciousness mind. He explained that unconsciousness is larger than consciousness in the human mind.
He introduced a number of new terms for the theoretical construction; he used to describe the human mind. He compared the human mind to an iceberg which unconsciousness is larger than consciousness. He was born on 6 May 1856 in
Moravia, Austria and died on 23 September 1939 in London. During his career, Freud has five works; they are The interpretation of dreams (1900), The psychopathology of
Everyday life (1901), General Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (1917), New
Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (1933), and An Outline of Psychoanalysis
(1940).4
Picture 1, Freud’s iceberg theory Picture 2, Sigmund Freud
Because of the anxiety (worries) is over reality pressure, so Ego takes the extreme way in order to lose or reduce this anxiety.5 All of the ways are called by terhadap proses-proses psikis. Kedua, istilah ini menunjukkan tentang suatu tekhnik untuk mengobati gangguan-gangguan psikis yang dialami oleh pasien-pasien neurotis. Ketiga, istilah ini menunjukkan seluruh pengetahuan psikologis yang diperoleh melalui kedua unsur diatas yaitu metode dan tehnik yang merupakan ilmu pengetahuan yang sangat baru. 4 http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96may/freud.html. accessed 05.12 pm on June 03, 2008
xviii defense mechanism ego. It is classified into some parts. They are repression,, the format reaction, sublimation and rationalization.6 Here are the explanations.
1) Repression
Repression is the first term that is used in Psychoanalysis. Before Freud explains the theory of personality structure (Id, Ego and Superego), so he claims that it consists of three parts; they are: consciousness, pre-consciousness and unconsciousness. Pre-consciousness fills of the things that is necessary, while unconsciousness cannot be conscious therefore all of the things are in repressive condition.
When Freud innovates his theory, repression is used as one of Ego defense mechanism. The repression will happen when the object election is forced out from the anti-cathexist.7 Repression influences the physic normal function. For instance someone will face the anxiety when he faces over reality pressure. Repression will appear in two ways. First, fighting anti-cathexist and second the object movement.
The object movement is done to avoid anxiety reappear, so it must be focused on the
5 Anxiety (worries) is neurotic and psychotic behavior. It is about the nervous condition that forces human being to do anything. Anxiety develops from the conflict between id, ego, superego system. The conflict is about control system on psychic energy that exists in human being. The function of anxiety is to alert the danger which damages ego. Freud states that all anxiety types are primitively rooted in pain. He distinguished three types of anxiety, they are realistic anxiety, moral anxiety and neurotic anxiety 6 Sumadi Suryabarata. Psikologi Kepribadian. (Jakarta: Rajawal Pers 2006) p. 144-148 7 Anti-cathexist is the condition which consists of the psychic to repress someone.
xix right sign. For instance a boy who hates his father, will show his abhorrence on the sign of authority.
When repression is shaped, it will be difficult to loose it. Someone will ensure himself times, that the anxiety is nothing. That is why there is a man who always shadows inadequacy anxiety; because he does not have the chance to know inadequacy anxiety based on reality threatening. Repression is the most important
Ego defense mechanism.
2) The format reaction
The shape of reaction is the change impulses which show anxiety or worries with the enemy in consciousness mind. For instance, hate is changed by love. Here, the impulses (the natural feeling) still exists but it is covered the thing which does not cause the anxiety. The format reaction is usually signed by the over-characterizations; the extreme things also usually show the format reaction. For instance a husband who hates his wife, buys her the beautiful gifts.
3) Rationalization and sublimation
Rationalization is one of Ego defense mechanisms which is created the logic way (rational way/make sense) in order to avoid the broken Ego. This rationalization tries to protect someone when he faces traumatic (anxiety or worries). Sublimation is
xx a way to ignore sexual energy into other passion energy. It is usually after someone did sublimation, it will be respected with his socialization even it will be proud.8
2. Life instincts and Death instinct (Eros and Thanatos)
Freud saw all human behavior as motivated by the drives or instincts, which in turn are the neurological representations of physical needs. Insting adalah perwujudan ketegangan badaniah yang berusaha mencari pengungkapan dan peredaan ketegangan yang merupakan bawaan setiap mahluk hidup.9 An instinct has four characteristics; they are root, function, object, and shipper.
The root instinct is rooted from the physic condition; libido. The function of instinct is avoiding the physic responsive so when the tension appears, it will be gone.
Object instinct is all of activities which make the wishes come true. It is not the only on object itself, but only the ways to fill these wishes. Shipper instinct is filled by the power of instinct. It is based quantity and quality of instinct itself.
The forces which the human being assume to exist behind the tensions caused by the needs of the id are called instincts. They represent the somatic demands upon the mind. Though they are the ultimate cause of all activity, they are conservative nature; the state, whatever it may be which an organism has
8 www.psychoanalysis/thesix concepts/.com accessed on March 05, 2008. 16.00 pm 9 S.S. Budi Hartono, et al., Dasar-Dasar Psikoanalisis Freudian, (Depok: Pusat Penelitian Kemasyarakatan dan Budaya Lembaga Penelitian Universitas Indonesia 2003) p. 5
xxi reached gives rise to a tendency to re-establish the state so soon as it has been abandoned. It is thus possible to distinguish an indeterminate number of instinct, and it common practice this is in fact done.10
At first, he referred to them as the eros instinct. These instincts perpetuate (a) the life of the individual, by motivating him or her to seek food and water, and (b) the life of the species, by motivating him or her to have sex. The motivational energy of these life instincts powers our psyches, he called libido. Later Freud believes that the life instincts didn't tell the whole story. Libido is a lively thing. The goal of life is death! Freud began to believe the life instincts there was a death instinct (thanatos instinct). He began to believe that every person has an unconscious wish to die.11
Eros instinct and thanatos instinct are taken from taken from Greek language which means love and death. Eros instinct consists of the ego in order to keep the conservation of the individual and the conservation of species. Thanataos instinct consists of conservative element in order to break and damage its conservation, it is the final goal; death. Furthermore, Eros instinct is construction set and Thanatos instinct is destruction set.12 Look at the following figure:
10 James Strachey, An Outline of Psycho-Analysis Sigmund Freud. (New York: WW. Norton Company Inc, 1967) p.5 11 http://www.psywww.com/books/interp/toc.html accessed on May 27, 2008, 15.45 pm 12 S.S. Budi Hartono (2003), op.cit. p.8
xxii
General Biological Energy
Eros instinct or Life Drives Thanatos or Death Drive
Death and Aggression impulses Libido Impulses Ego Impulses
Guided by Guided by Guided by
Pleasure Principle Reality Principle Nirvana Principle expressed by expressed by expressed by
Self love, love of Satisfying needs of Destructiveness others, uninhibited the body in a socially towards others and pursuit of pleasure. Approved manner. Toward self. Use of sublimation Located in the and repression. Located in the Unconscious Unconscious Located in the Represented by Conscious and Represented by The Id. Unconscious the Id.
Represented by The Ego and Superego.
Figure 1, Life and Death instinct
xxiii
3. Fantasy and Imaginer works
The pleasure principle is rooted from constancy principle.13 The pleasure principle makes the subject to takes off the nervous conditions through dream or fantasy.14 According to Freud, the consciousness produces libido which is based on needs. Libido is related to inadequacy signs cannot be destroyed. This is what
Fantasy means, imaginer works. On the other hand, fantasy and imaginer are libido works. In this case fantasy and imaginer are classified into four parts as the following:
Day-dream, illusion, and realistic fiction Pre-consciousness illusion with consciousness operates The unconsciousness fantasy then it becomes dream to enroll the consciousness area The unconsciousness fantasy makes the dream.15
Fantasy is a technique to reduce tensions by restricting behavior to more or less stereotype daydreams. This kind of device is available to us because of our ability to deal with symbol, with language. Thoughts about objects can be substituted for the object themselves. We can react to the symbol of an object as thought it is the
13 The principle shows to keep the quantity of physic on the lowest stage and keep its stability. 14 Dream is the process of fulfillment of wishes and it is an expression to hallucinate of what repressive wishes including inadequacy and maturity time. It is including manifest content and latent content. Manifest content is what the dreamer remembers while latent content is about symbolic meaning of the dream. 15 Okke K. S. Zaimar, et al., Psikoanalisis dan Analisis Sastra, (Depok: Pusat Penelitian Kemasyarakatan dan Budaya Lembaga Penelitian Universitas Indonesia 2003) p.34
xxiv object itself.16 We learn to talk to ourselves, do completely private communication.
Fantasy is also showed by not to verbalize overtly certain intentions. We try to keep ourselves, no one else informed.
Fantasizing involves creating an inner world when the real world becomes too painful, difficult, or stressful. Thinking about our upcoming vacation when work gets stressful is a healthy use of fantasy. However, if we don’t solve problems, but only daydream about them being solved for we, if we avoid potentially problematic responsibilities and only fantasize about having rewarding challenges and experiences, fantasy becomes too much. Fantasy indicates symbolic responses are substituted for explicit, observable ones a means of satisfaction. It is important to note that it constitutes a denial of reality. The term "object relations theory" was formally coined by Freud of Psychoanalysis in 1917’s.17
Objects are initially comprehended in the infant mind by their functions and are termed "part objects". Through repeated experience, internal objects are formed by the patterns emerging in one's subjective experience of the care taking environment. These internalized images may or may not be accurate representations of the actual, external others. With a "good enough" "facilitating environment" part
16http://www.simplypsychology.pwp.bleuyonder.co.uk/psychoanalysis.htmlaccessed on May29, 2008, 16.30 pm 17http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/psych275/Lecture%2312_Freud.html accessed on May 29, 2008, 16.45 pm
xxv object functions eventually transform into a comprehension of whole objects, which corresponds with the ability to tolerate ambiguity.18
Fantasy is a given of psychic life which moves outward towards the world.
These image-potentials are given a priori with the drives and eventually allow the development of more complex states of mental life. Unconscious Fantasy in the infant’s emerging mental life is modified by the environment as the infant has contact with reality. Fantasies are able to draw upon plastic images as well as sensations— visual, auditory, kinesthetic, touches, taste, smell images, etc. And these plastic images and dramatic representations of Fantasy are progressively elaborated along with articulated perceptions of the external world.
B. The Concept of Cinematography
Many people ask what film is. Film is unique, set apart from all other media by its quality of free and constant motion that communicates verbally and visually. Film is made by people with technology supporting of cinematography. The cinema is a work of art when motion confirms to a perceptible rhythm with pause and pace and where all aspects of the continuous image relate to the whole. 19
18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/phantasy_process/accessed on Oct 17, 2008. 17.10 pm
19 Anonymous, The Comment of Cinematography (California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 1991), p.81
xxvi Film shares many of techniques common to the literary form; it in itself is not literary. Its emphasis is on the moving image which is generally what communicates a film’s most significant or interesting aspect. In the simplest terms, a cinematic film is a film that take advantage of all the special properties and qualities that make the film medium unique.
a. Shot (The behavior of the figures)
The shot (framing) is classified into these categories:
1) Size and Closeness the object: the viewer’s attention is naturally drawn to larger, closer objects or faces 2) Sharpness of Focus: when a larger, closer face in the foreground in soft focus or blurred, and the viewer’s attention is drawn to smaller in sharp focus 3) Background in Motion (Movement): the eye is also drawn to an object in motion, and a moving object can divert the viewer’s attention from a static one. 4) Extreme Close-up: a shot of a person or object taken at close range 5) Arrangement of people and object: the director focuses the viewer’s attention by the arrangement people and object in relation to each other. 6) Foreground Framing: the director might decide to frame the object of greatest significance with object in the near foreground 7) Lighting and Color: the usage of the color also helps draw to the object of greatest significance.20
20 Joseph M. Boggs (1991) , op.cit p.84-86
xxvii
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH FINDINGS
A. Data Description
In this chapter III, after watch the movie, the writer finds some statements as the corpus of the research. The analysis is about the data description of Dieter’s defense mechanism in the movie of Rescue Dawn. The explanations appear in this following table.
The table of Dieter’s defense mechanism
No Corpus Scene Defense Mechanism 1. Dieter: It has be tomorrow. We are still a day short of Independence Day, 49 Eros instinct but so what. Hey, there’s no rain. Tomorrow is show time. Duane and I will go this way outside of left fence, while the four of you will go this way outside of right fence. And we must all arrive at the kitchen. At the same moment to encircle them.
2. Dieter: All right, that is in your fridge. 40 Fantasy Muffins. Okay, oranges, couple of dozen eggs. A huge pile of pancakes. With turns of syrup, I mean, I just soaked. Why always the sweet stuff? Noodles and spam. Some cakes……
3. Dieter, Dieter, my feet are cold”. 73 Dream (Repression)
xxviii
4. Dieter: And the thing is from that 35 Sublimation moment little Dieter. He needed to fly.
5. Dieter: where can I get the nail? And 31 Rationalization let you help me to take it and the others please watch out the situation. I have plan to take off the cuff…….
6. Dieter lets Jumbo sets free from the 55 Format Reaction jail after he shouts other guards
B. The Analysis
The protagonist is the central figure of a story, and is often referred as a story’s main character.21 The protagonist is also characterized by his ability to change or evolve. The writer considers Dieter Dengler as a main character in Rescue Dawn because the director describes Dieter Dengler’s attitudes and actions as a central
21A character in one movie is called as protagonist character when he usually becomes main character and whose conflict with an antagonist character.
xxix figure of a story larger than any other characters. It makes the viewers can understand the main character clearly.
In this chapter, the writer will analyze Dieter Dengler’s defense mechanism in his surviving process from the Vietcong jail. In this analyze, the writer uses cinematography concept (shot) as supported concept in easier understanding the movie Rescue Dawn. Furthermore, the usage of cinematography concept (shot) tries to explain the relationship between the act, the scenes and their impact.
Dieter Dengler is the major character in the story; he has very important role to develop the story. Dieter Dengler is a man who comes from Germany and becomes a USA navy pilot who led a secret flight invasion in Gulf of Tolkin in 1965. It is the business for USS ranger only. Dieter is chosen as the first flight lieutenant to lead
USA invasion to Asia area, Vietnam and Laos.
Figure 2, Dieter Dengler
The scene above shows Dieter Dengler as the major character in the movie. It is appeared that he is handsome with his bright eyes and charming face. The director
xxx shots him with sharpness of focus. The impact is that Dieter is seen clearer and bigger than other characters. It means that the director introduces the main character of the movie in order to close him to the viewers.
In his surviving process from the Vietcong jail, Dieter Dengler protects his
Ego with defense mechanism. Further, he is applied his defense mechanism through his fantasy, Eros instinct, repression, format reaction, rationalization and sublimation acts. His defense mechanism will appear in these following explanations.
1. Dieter’s eros instinct
As explained above that all human behavior is motivated by the drives or instincts. Eros instinct consists of the ego in order to keep the conservation of the individual and the conservation of species. Thanatos instinct consists of conservative element in order to break and damage its conservation.
As the smart and brave captive, Dieter ensures himself that one day he will set free. This is what called as Eros instinct. His Eros instinct becomes the power to dominate his physic energy. His eros instinct is appeared at any acts that he did.
Dieter’s eros instinct is divided into groups. First, it is about libido impulses. It is worked based on pleasure principle. Dieter reflects it into love his self, love his friends and decides to reach the freedom from the Vietcong jail. Second, it is about ego impulses. It is worked based on reality pleasure. He reflects it into his escape plans. This is one example of Dieter’s reflection eros instinct.
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One night, it is closer time to sleep; the captives cut the bamboo inside the hut. This is third mission to break up the prison. Dieter and friends will escape from the prison in rainy days, but they are not lucky because it will come after two weeks or one month. Dieter thinks it is too long, and then he decided that 4th of July as the day for escape from the prison. Dieter states that 4th July is American Independence
Day, therefore the American captives must set free from the Vietcong jail. Look at these scene and the conversation below:
Figure 3, Breaking the fence
Dieter : what are they discussing about? YC : They sent some villagers out to village for some rice. They come back with nothing. Even since the bombing, the entire province can not grow rice. Duane : I did not think it could get any worse Phisit : No, it’s much worse than that. They plan to march us out in the jungle and kill us, and make it look as if were trying to escape. They wanna all go back to their villages and somehow try to get some food. Dieter : It has be tomorrow. We are still a day short of Independence Day, but so what. Hey, there’s no rain. Tomorrow is show time. Duane and I will go this way outside of left fence, while the four of you will go this way outside of right fence. And we must all arrive at the kitchen. At the same moment to encircle them. Duane : This is the most important thing. Dieter : And then you too you will interrogate the guards.
xxxii (Rescue Dawn: scene fourty nine)
The scene and the conversation above describe Dieter’s eros instinct as the defense mechanism to eliminate thanatos instinct. His eros instinct is very useful as the medium in surviving process. Dieter’s eros instinct appears in faithful to escape and he surely set free from the jail. It expresses how Dieter processes his eros instinct in order to break the fence. With his unconsciousness, Dieter finds his eros instinct as the leader in his process surviving until he braves doing the dangerous action. His Eros instinct is described with the shot. The scene above uses movement frame with large land background because the director explains that his eros instinct is very strong.
One thing distinguishes Dieter and his friend is about Eros instinct. Many times Dieter always ensures himself and their selves that one day together they will surely from the Vietcong jail even they do not trust him firstly. For one reason, it can be concluded that Dieter has the highest Eros instinct than his five American Friends, while they have lowest Eros instinct. The description about his highest Eros instinct and their lowest Eros instinct is appeared in this following scene:
Figure 4, Dieter’s birthday
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The scene describes that the Dieter is shot in the close range; it makes him bigger and clearer than other characters. He stands before the eyes’ captives. This shot means that he becomes the leader of other captives because of his highest Eros instinct. Dieter’s highest Eros instinct leads their lowest Eros instinct to ensure them that they together can fight the guards.
Figure 5, Shooting the guard
This scene also describes Dieter’s Eros instinct. The scene is about Dieter shots the Laotians. According to the theory that Eros instinct is used to keep and construct the conservation of individual and species. This is the same thing like
Dieter did. He tries to make the guard died before the guards murder him as the captive. As human being, Dieter wants to keep his conservation of life.
From the scene, it is known that Dieter is shot close to the frame with the camera then make him bigger while the actor gets the long path around the died guards. It means that his Eros instinct has important role in his process surviving. In
xxxiv this case that Dieter still has long journey to reach his freedom, because the appearance of enemy does not only in Vietcong jail but also he will find other enemies before he surely survive from all of Vietcong and Laotian.
2. Defense Mechanism
Dieter faces anxiety which develops from the conflict between his id, ego, and superego system. His conflict is about control system on psychic energy that exists in
Dieter. The usage of anxiety is to alert him the danger which damages ego. Dieter faces realistic anxiety because of his traumatic anxiety of guards since from the
Vietcong jail. Dieter’s repression is the most important defense mechanism.
Because Dieter gets war traumatic anxiety (worries) over reality pressure in
Vietcong jail, so he uses his Ego to take the extreme way in order to lose or reduce his war traumatic anxiety. All of the ways are called by defense mechanism ego.
According to the theory that repression is caused anxiety, so this is very suitable to describe Dieter’s condition. Dieter always represses his freedom until he finds the right time to run away. Here is the reflection of Dieter’s repression.
In the beginning plan, the escape will be held on rainy days, but it will come after two weeks or one month. They decide that they will escape on 4th July, but it also is cancelled. The reason is because the captives know what the result of soldiers’ discussion; it is about to throw the captives and kill them into jungle. But, they make
xxxv it such as the captive will escape from the prison. They know from Phisit, Procet and
Yik Chi Tuo who major the guard’s language. So, they make a new plan; the escape time will be held on 3rd of July. After a short conversation among the captives,
Dieter and friends purposes the escape plan. They will fight the guards. Dieter and
Duane will across the right way, while the others across the left way. Finally, they will meet at the kitchen.
The repression reappears in Dieter’s dream. He dreams Duane Martin who died murdered with lumping the head by the villagers. In the dream Duane comes and hugs him closely saying “Dieter, my feet are cold”. Then, Dieter takes off the shoes to give him. When, Dieter will give it to Duane, he had gone together with the dark night.
When Duane is murdered, Dieter takes off the shoes from Duane’s feet. It does not explain that Dieter is an impolite man but it is just to protect Dieter’s feet.
According to Freud that dream is the process of fulfillment of wishes and it is an expression to hallucinate of what repressive wishes including inadequacy and maturity time.22 The process of Dieter’s dream are representation and symbolic.23
22 Anthony Storr, Freud Peletak Dasar Psikoanalisis. (Jakarta: Yayasan Jaya Raya 1989) p. 46 23 Representation occurs the unconscious mind strings together wish-fulfilling images in a logical order of events, further obscuring the latent and manifest content can be believable event. Symbolic is about the symbol of the dream.
xxxvi Having the shoes as protector is Dieter’s and Duane’s wishes since they were in Vietcong jail. Manifest content here is Dieter wants to protect his feet with shoes.
Symbolic occurs the symbols of Dieter’s dream. Americans believe the shoes and stocking are symbolic of friendship. Dieter and Duane is best friend. It means that
Dieter and Duane protect each other such as shoes protect the feet. It is called latent content. Here the following scenes describe his dream:
Figure 6 & 7, Dreaming of Duane As explained above that the format reaction shows the change impulse by representing the contradiction condition. According to the main character of the movie that unconsciousness Dieter does the format reaction as defense mechanism.
Based on the story of movie that there are many guards in Vietcong jail, but there is the only Jumbo who is very kind guard to Dieter Dengler. Jumbo shows his kindness by giving Dieter pieces of rice, giving the good respond when the captive communicates with him, etc. In this case, Dieter as Jumbo’s enemy does not hate him such Dieter hates other guards. Therefore, in 3rd of July (the escape day), Dieter lets him go and does not murder him as the enemy. Here, his impulses (the natural feeling-the abhorrence) still exists but it is covered the thing which does not cause the
xxxvii anxiety. Finally, after Jumbo gone Dieter does not face the anxiety that makes him guilty or fear.
Dieter is the motivator for other captives. He is a smart captive. In his surviving process Dieter arranges many plans. His plans make other captives believe that one day they surely escape from the jail. In this case, he clearly uses rationalization. The arrangement of plan is a medium and a logic-rational way to protect Dieter and his Ego while he faces the worst situation in Vietcong jail.
Furthermore, Dieter does rationalization because he absolutely does not dying rotten in Vietcong jail and prefers dying eaten by the wild animal in the jungle. This following scene describes Dieter’s rationalization.
Figure 8: Arrange the plan This following dialogue shows Dieter’s rationalization in arrangement plan to escape from the jail:
Dieter : where can I get the nail? And let you help me to take it and the others please watch out the situation. I have plan to take off the cuff Phisit : it is hanging on the hut near the kitchen. Ok, I will Dieter : Hey, Jumbo can I borrow some of the toothpaste? Let me get some of that. (Taking off the hanging nail on the hut) That’s I felt
xxxviii like having a good smile like you have. You got a good smile too, okay! Dieter : (Running into the prison) hey listen up! You see, I apprenticed as a tool and die maker in Germany. There was no aviation at the time and I wanted to learn something useful that would help me repair planes. And boys are those years coming in hands. In unexpected ways now, there’s only one brand that I can not handle that is Smith and...... I think with practice, I can open these up in maybe two, three seconds flat but listen everybody keep one cuff on a wrist at all times. So that if the guards come checking, we can put them on again quickly. (Rescue Dawn: scene thirty one).
The sublimation of Dieter appears when he succeeds opening the cuff. It is very useful to hand free the captive when they are being in the night. At the first, even other captives are doubt about his plan; getting the nail to open up the cuff, but
Dieter believes that he will get the nail. He did it well and it makes the other captives believe that he is a smart man who can work the plan successfully. Finally the captives proud of him because they have someone who can lead the captive in
Vietcong Jail and give them a hope to escape from the jail.
What Dieter did is called sublimation because he ignores sexual energy into other passion energy and he is be respected with his socialization even it will be proud. Look at this following shot:
xxxix Figure 9, Opening the cuff
His sublimation represents in his conversation together with Duane Martin. It is about the flashback story why Dieter decides to become a pilot. He tells that he does not the logic reason why finally he becomes a pilot. According to Freud, that someone will do sublimation when he ignores the sexual energy into other energy.
Freud also claimed that sexual energy is always not be satisfied by intimate sexuality relationship but how someone can feel satisfied in various ways he could do.24 The expression with smiling and bright face describes the expression of Dieter feels satisfied of the story while Duane heard the story carefully such in the following scene.
Figure 10, Confession of childhood
”Dieter: I always wanted to be one. Five years old, in a little town, Wildberg, in the black forest, and it was just bombed to ashes, you know? No clear reason, just these senseless attack, but I remember I was in the attic with my brother. We were looking out and we see this fighter plane, beautiful coming at night at us. And it is firing from its wings and I see the machine gun, it’s flashing and it’s flying. It is so close, I mean it’s feet away from the house. And the canopy was open. And this pilot, he had his goggles up on his helmet. And I could see his eyes. And he turns to go, he’s starting back....., he’s looking right at me still. And the thing is from that moment little Dieter. He needed to fly” (Rescue Dawn: scene thirty five)
24 K. Berten. Memperkenalkan Psikoanalisa-Lima Ceramah Sigmund Freud. (Jakarta: Gramedia 1979) p. xxii-xxiv
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3. Fantasy
According to Freud, that fantasy and imaginer are libido works. Fantasy is a way to make stereotype daydreams. Fantasizing involves creating an inner world when the real world becomes too painful, difficult, or stressful. The human can react the symbol of an object as thought to be a substitute for the object itself. In this case,
Freud states that actor or actress is used fantasy to full play the erotic and ambitious wishes.25
Dieter did fantasy to fulfill libido as the physic energy. This fantasy happens because Dieter faces the condition of Vietcong jail is too painful, too hard and too difficult. He does surely did fantasy to make a substitution which does not correspond with reality but expresses his certain desires or aims. In this case, eating is a way to keep his conservation individualism. Furthermore, if he did not do it, it will lead him to break and damage his conservation Ego. He unconsciousness responds the symbol an object as thought- the warm and caterpillar- and unconsciousness substitutes eating the worms and the caterpillar to be eating nice foods. It appears like in this scene:
25 The artist is originally a man who turns from reality because he cannot come to terms with the demands for the renunciation of instinctual satisfaction as it is first made, and who then in phantasy- life allows full play to his erotic and ambitious wishes. But he finds a way of return from this world of phantasy back to reality; with his special gifts, he moulds his phantasies into a new kind of reality. And men concede them a justification as valuable reflection of actual life. Thus by a certain path he actually becomes the hero, king, creator, favorite he desired to be, without the circuitous path of creating real alterations in outer world.
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Dieter : Hungry (sing it) hungry, hungry. Duane, it is your turn, Duane stack it up! Duane : (seeing to the warm in the plate) Bottom shelf, raspberry pie. The way my mom makes it with the crust as thick as a steak and the top is a turkey. Dieter : I’m not talking thanksgiving big. I’m talking, you know an obscene enormous like 35 pound turkey with breasts the size of Jayne Mansfield’s. Duane : You’ve got gravy, stuffing, six-pack of Budweiser, and the Bavarian stein, you know? With a quarter of a gallon and it’s dark and it’s cool and you get the foam lapping up and coming over the side. It’s so cool you get the mist on the side.. Dieter : All right, that is in your fridge. Muffins. Okay, oranges, couple of dozen eggs. A huge pile of pancakes. With turns of syrup, I mean, I just soaked. Why always the sweet stuff? Noodles and spam. Some cakes. (Rescue Dawn: chapter fourteen)
Figure 11, Dieter eats the caterpillars Figure 12, it’s Lunch
The two shot describes that Dieter eats larva, caterpillar and warms. The shot describe that Dieter crooked his body which means he respect the meal. Here, fantasy explicates the dynamic process of developing a mind as one grows in relation to real others in the environment. The objects (larva, caterpillar and warms) being referred to in fantasy process are in one's world, and one's internalized images of others.
xlii The role of his unconscious fantasy is essential in the development of a capacity for thinking. The preconception and realization combine to take form as a concept that can be thought. The classic example of this is the infant’s observed rooting for the nipple in the first hours of life. The instinctual rooting is the preconception. The provision of the nipple provides the realization in the world of experience, and through time, with repeated experience, the preconception and realization combined to create the concept. Mental capacity builds upon previous experience as the environment and infant interact.
xliii CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion
After analyzing the character of Dieter Dengler in chapter three, the writer drew a conclusion that in his surviving process from the Vietcong jail, Dieter Dengler protects himself with Ego defense mechanism. His defense mechanisms are explained in the data description and the analysis. Further, he is applied his defense mechanism through his fantasy, Eros instinct, repression, format reaction, rationalization and sublimation acts. Those elements dominate all of his action.
Eros instinct appears when Dieter breaks the fence in the night and shots the guards in 3rd of July; the escape day. Eros instinct becomes the power in order run all of the escape plans. His Eros instinct becomes the leader to ensure other captives that one day they will surely set free from the Vietcong jail. Dieter’s Eros instinct can be seen in figures 3, 4, 5.
The explanation about defense mechanism specifically in Rescue Dawn is classified into repression, format reaction, rationalization and sublimation. Those elements make easier Dieter in surviving process from the Vietcong jail. Repression appears when Dieter represses his wish (the escape time) and it reappears in his
xliv dream. Dieter represents his format reaction when he lets the jumbo go and he does not murder him. Rationalization appears into Dieter when he arranges the escape plans in figure 8. Dieter reflects his sublimation in telling the story about why he becomes a pilot and proves that he can get nail to open the cuff. They are shown in figure 9 and 10.
Dieter does fantasy when he substitutes eating the caterpillar and warm becomes rice and nice foods. This act is shown in figures 11 and 12. The writer uses cinematography concept (shot) as supported concepts in easier understanding the movie Rescue Dawn. Furthermore, the usage of cinematography concept (shot) tries to explain the relationship between the act, the scenes and their impact.
B. Suggestion
From the conclusion above the writer attempts to show the readers that the character of Dieter Dengler uses defense mechanism in surviving process from the
Vietcong. This research is just one way to interpret a literature. There are many ways that can be used to analyze and appreciate this literature. The writer suggests the readers who interest psychoanalysis to analyze another character in the Rescue Dawn a movie by Werner Herzog such as Duane Martin. As the captive of Vietcong jail, he
xlv is interested to analyze. The writer realizes that this analysis is imperfect. It is needed deep research to relate more references that support this research.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anonymous, The Comment of Cinematography. California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 1991.
Bertens, K. Memperkenalkan Psikoanalisa Sigmund Freud. Jakarta: PT Gramedia, 1979
Boggs, Joseph M. The art of Watching Films. California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 1991
Erowati, Rosida. Seminar Membaca Film. Ciputat 08 April 2008
Hartono, S.S. Budi. Dasar-Dasar Psikoanalisis Freudian. Depok: Pusat Penelitian Kemasyarakatan dan Budaya Lembaga Penelitian Universitas Indonesia, 2003
Storr, Anthony. Freud Peletak Dasar Psikoanalisis. Jakarta: Yayasan Jaya Raya, 1989
Strachey, James. An Outline of Psycho-Analysis Sigmund Freud. New York: WW. Norton Company
Suryabrata, Sumadi. Psikologi Kepribadian. Jakarta: PT Raja Grafindo Persada, 2006
Zaimar, Okke K. S. Psikoanalisis dan Analisis Sastra. Depok: Pusat Penelitian Kemasyarakatan dan Budaya Lembaga Penelitian Universitas Indonesia, 2003
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xlvii http://www.simplypsychology.pwp.bleuyonder.co.uk/psychoanalysis.htmlaccessed on May29, 2008, 16.30 pm http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/psych275/Lecture%2312_Freud.html accessed on May 29, 2008, 16.45 pm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/phantasy_process/accessed on Oct 17, 2008. 17.10 pm
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