how does the change in strength of amir's id, Ego, and superego Change throughout the novel?
As any child grows up, they mature. Part of this maturation process involves the declining strength of ones id and the increased strength of ones superego. This process is obvious in Amir as he ages throughout the novel. is id lost strength while his superego gained strength. The id describes how one is constantly seeking to please themselves. The ego represents the in-between of the id and superego. It is goverened by what is referred to as the reality principle; it is constantly "mediating between the desires of the id and the realities of the outside world" (Doorey). The superego, unlike the id and ego, is soley concerned with making the right decision, no matter what ones desires.
When Amir's is very young, he tends to run away from situations that he cannot handle and makes decision that only benefit himself. He is governed by what is called the "pleasure principle" (which governs the id); he "avoids pain and seeks pleasure" (Doorey). This is obvious during the rape scene when he hides and does not stand up for Hassan simply because he is afraid. Amir admits, "I ran becasuse I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt" (Hosseini 77). Furthermore, after the rape incident, Amir decides he is unable to handle the pain of dealing with Hassan everyday. Rather than admitting what he did not stand up for Hassan, he hides his money under Hassan's mattress in attempt to get him and Ali dismissed. This shows Amir has a weak superego and a strong id. Amir knows that hiding his money with Hassan will get Hassan in trouble, but he does it anyways for his own good. Amir recognized that "I [Amir] was a liar, a cheat, and a theif. And I would have told, except that a part of me was glad. Glad that this would all be over with soon" (Hosseini 105).
Later in the novel, while living in America, Amir's ego is more at work than his id or superego. Amir still thinks about what will benefit himself, but he keeps the lives of others in mind when making decisions. This change is obvious when Amir suggests that he and Baba go back to Peshawar. Amir knows Baba was happier there and did not have to work as hard, but Amir also recognizes that he must stay in America for his future. Although Amir is thinking about what is good for Baba, he knows he has to stay in America for his education. Even after high school, Amir told Baba "I [Amir] wanted to get a job. Help out, save some money, maybe go to college the following year," but he ends up going to college because that is what is best for him (Hosseini 131).
By the end of the novel, Amir has matured and his superego has gained strength. Amir even agrees to get Sohrab from Kabul, despite the fact that going back to Kabul puts his life in more danger. Amir chooses to do this for Hassan and Sohrab. When he fights Assef to get back Sohrab, it shows his superegos strength. Amir puts himself in harms way for Sohrabs safety although it provides him no direct benefit. He is doing it for the wellbeing of Sohrab.
When Amir's is very young, he tends to run away from situations that he cannot handle and makes decision that only benefit himself. He is governed by what is called the "pleasure principle" (which governs the id); he "avoids pain and seeks pleasure" (Doorey). This is obvious during the rape scene when he hides and does not stand up for Hassan simply because he is afraid. Amir admits, "I ran becasuse I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt" (Hosseini 77). Furthermore, after the rape incident, Amir decides he is unable to handle the pain of dealing with Hassan everyday. Rather than admitting what he did not stand up for Hassan, he hides his money under Hassan's mattress in attempt to get him and Ali dismissed. This shows Amir has a weak superego and a strong id. Amir knows that hiding his money with Hassan will get Hassan in trouble, but he does it anyways for his own good. Amir recognized that "I [Amir] was a liar, a cheat, and a theif. And I would have told, except that a part of me was glad. Glad that this would all be over with soon" (Hosseini 105).
Later in the novel, while living in America, Amir's ego is more at work than his id or superego. Amir still thinks about what will benefit himself, but he keeps the lives of others in mind when making decisions. This change is obvious when Amir suggests that he and Baba go back to Peshawar. Amir knows Baba was happier there and did not have to work as hard, but Amir also recognizes that he must stay in America for his future. Although Amir is thinking about what is good for Baba, he knows he has to stay in America for his education. Even after high school, Amir told Baba "I [Amir] wanted to get a job. Help out, save some money, maybe go to college the following year," but he ends up going to college because that is what is best for him (Hosseini 131).
By the end of the novel, Amir has matured and his superego has gained strength. Amir even agrees to get Sohrab from Kabul, despite the fact that going back to Kabul puts his life in more danger. Amir chooses to do this for Hassan and Sohrab. When he fights Assef to get back Sohrab, it shows his superegos strength. Amir puts himself in harms way for Sohrabs safety although it provides him no direct benefit. He is doing it for the wellbeing of Sohrab.