Seinfeld Film Analysis
Defense Mechanisms Enacted by George
Defense mechanisms are deployed when an individual feels uncomfortable or anxious about a situation. Repression, denial, projection, displacement, regression, and sublimation are different types of defense mechanisms (Mcleod). George showcases denial when he defends his actions during a fire. George dashes out of the room, pushing away people that included women and older adults. Everyone around him insists that his actions depict selfish behavior, but he denies it by feigning safety, equality, and leadership for the people involved.
During a hiking plan involving him and his friend, George insists that he is alright when a third person is enlisted in the hike. It is obvious George is not pleased by the addition of a third person, but he pretends to be happy and okay with the new situation (Psychoanalyzing George Costanza). He also exhibits projection whereby he insists that the waitress and passerby driver show him the middle finger. In both scenarios, George is convinced that the waitress and the driver do not like him, hence the obscene gesture made towards him while it is not the case.
Situations That Make George Anxious
It is clear that George is self-centered and loves personalized attention. When his wife becomes friends with the friend’s wife, George is anxious and behaves in a very selfish manner. He is protective of his space and does not want anyone else in it. George views those around him as a threat, such as a waitress, and the driver hence feels the need to defend himself continually. Sexuality is a source of identity for many people (Tyson, p24), and it is evident that the same is true for George. He is anxious about the shrinkage episode and insists on his friend setting the record straight. The questioning about his ketchup usage also rubs George the wrong way. He answers it by saying he bought the ketchup; hence can use it any way he pleases. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Core Issues and Fears Exhibited
Attention is an issue that comes to the fore several times. Space is also another issue showcased. George is a personal space-oriented person, which means that he does not appreciate people coming into his world. The friendship of his wife and his friends’ wife becomes a challenge. When he finds his wife and friends in a restaurant, he walks away and prefers to eat alone. George likes attention focused on him without letting other people into his space. The rock climbing scenario is also indicative of his need not to share activities and time with others. George thus has attachment issues where he feels as though sharing equates to abandonment or replacement.
He also seems to believe that strangers around him have a personal vendetta, thus seeking always to defend self. The finger scenario is an example of the issue. George is also not happy that the wife learns a new phrase from her recently acquired friend. He makes a snotty remark about how his wife is taking on other people’s characteristics (Psychoanalyzing George Costanza). It is indicative of an envious/jealous character since the wife is learning new things while George is not. It is important to note that George is set in his ways hence does not open himself up to learning. A know it all and sufficient attitude makes George a problematic person.
Secret Motivation Harbored By George
George is competitive and has an outgoing side. The two aspects serve as motivations for George; hence he agrees to go hiking. Despite the selfish element portrayed on several occasions, George secretly wishes to fit in and belong. However, it is an aspect that is rarely showcased as it is associated with weakness. As a result, George showcases outright selfishness as in the case of the fire incident and the restaurant scenario.
Influence of Georges Family
It is interesting to note that George’s father mirrors George in many ways. He is arrogant and embodies an all-knowing attitude. George is, however, not as boisterous and overbearing while with his parents and takes on a subdued demeanor. It would be thus justifiable to intimate that his family heavily influences his issues. He lacks the necessary attention from home, therefore, seeks to achieve it in the outside world. His arrogant, selfish nature stems from the home front. It is no wonder that George likes to be in control of his world. When he feels out of control, anxiety kicks in. It is no wonder he is protective of his and his wife’s territory. Acknowledging his friend’s wife’s friendship makes him feel out of control.
Effects of Georges Core Issues
The selfish, attention-seeking, controlling, and angry nature affects everyone around George. His anger, for example, towards the driver, leads to him following the driver for an hour to settle scores only to learn that the finger gesture was not deliberate and means no harm (Psychoanalyzing George Costanza). His passenger is dragged into the mess. George also confronts his friend’s wife concerning the new phrase taken up by George’s wife, unintentionally. People at the fire scene view George as a selfish person due to his pushing away women and older women to run out of the room first. Even though it is obvious his friends love him, he has an untraditional way of perceiving and doing things.
Works Cited
Mcleod, Saul. “Defense Mechanisms | Simply Psychology”. Simplypsychology.Org, 2019,
https://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html.
Psychoanalyzing George Costanza.
https://albanystate.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/1966344/viewContent/28118817/View?ou=1966344. Accessed 26 Mar 2020.
Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2015.