Dilemma of Survival and Exploration in Weir’s The Martian: A Psychoanalytic Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to highlight the dilemma of detachment, the struggle for survival and the spirit of exploration. Using Freud’s theoretical perspective, this study explores the nexus between human psychology and basic instinct of survival. This article further seeks deeper understanding of the human psyche through the journey of an astronaut who embodies resilience and ingenuity in creating a sustainable environment on another planet, Mars, and in establishing communication with earth in an effort to be rescued. The current study applies Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis to examine three different aspects of human behavior: the Id which represents the instinctive drive for survival, the Ego that reflects a problem-solving approach of human mind, and the Superego which shapes actions through moral awareness, social values, customs and norms. Moreover, the research examines survival as both a psychological and emotional process shaped by resilience and steadfastness, highlighting literature as a significant space for exploring human endurance, inner struggle, and personal conflict.