The novel Fifty Shades of Grey has arisen to become extremely popular all over the United States. The blockbuster movie picture based on the novel was just as popular, gaining much attention at the box office. Dealing with sexual concepts that many frown upon, the movie has drawn its share of controversy, becoming a hotly debated topic even within households. With such success, an important inquiry remains; why has this film received so much commercial success? While it is difficult to pinpoint the reasons exactly, one man’s ideas have strong correlation to the possible explanations. In his novel, Civilization and Its Discontents, Sigmund Freud developed theories on sexual behavior that have lasted the test of time. His ideas on libido and
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The first reason for this is the quote mentioned directly above. He calls the sexual confinement by society a “serious injustice.” This would lead one to believe that he is a proponent for the ability of people to live their sexual desires. This makes sense as well because Fifty Shades of Grey is in direct relation to this concept. Its widespread appeal is equivalent to the release of sexual desire, at least to some extent. It is a manifestation of the desires that Freud so readily calls oppressed. I don’t think he would call the film a sickness in the sense that it is a negative connotation. The only “sickness” that seems to be identified by Freud is the libido being built up so far it negatively affects others. Freud does admit that society is not completely restrictive on sexuality. “Only the weaklings have submitted to such an extensive encroachment upon their sexual freedom…”(Freud 52). This again portrays the negative associations Freud makes with regards to sexual repression. He uses the word weaklings, an almost humorous term to describe those who are bullied by societal repression. It makes more sense perhaps to say that Freud thinks people are stronger than many of society’s influences. He sees it as less effective in some ways, but not from a lack of trying to diminish people’s desires. His use of the terms in this quote; weaklings, submitted, encroachment, they are all undesirable terms, ones that suggest that it is not correct or just of society to be doing so, and this is why Freud would appreciate the film as an advancement of people’s sexual freedom in
The first reason for this is the quote mentioned directly above. He calls the sexual confinement by society a “serious injustice.” This would lead one to believe that he is a proponent for the ability of people to live their sexual desires. This makes sense as well because Fifty Shades of Grey is in direct relation to this concept. Its widespread appeal is equivalent to the release of sexual desire, at least to some extent. It is a manifestation of the desires that Freud so readily calls oppressed. I don’t think he would call the film a sickness in the sense that it is a negative connotation. The only “sickness” that seems to be identified by Freud is the libido being built up so far it negatively affects others. Freud does admit that society is not completely restrictive on sexuality. “Only the weaklings have submitted to such an extensive encroachment upon their sexual freedom…”(Freud 52). This again portrays the negative associations Freud makes with regards to sexual repression. He uses the word weaklings, an almost humorous term to describe those who are bullied by societal repression. It makes more sense perhaps to say that Freud thinks people are stronger than many of society’s influences. He sees it as less effective in some ways, but not from a lack of trying to diminish people’s desires. His use of the terms in this quote; weaklings, submitted, encroachment, they are all undesirable terms, ones that suggest that it is not correct or just of society to be doing so, and this is why Freud would appreciate the film as an advancement of people’s sexual freedom in