The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, theorized that sexual development is broken down into five phases, each culminating with a developmental milestone. Freud believed that the end of the phallic phase, when the child resolves their Oedipus complex by associating with their parent of the same sex, was the most critical to sexual development. An unresolved Oedipus complex, Freud believed, would lead to phallic stage fixation and an aggressive, impulsive, and vain child. On the other hand, a well developed adult would experience genital stage fixation, marked by the ability to maintain mature, adult relationships. In Yukio Mishima’s The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea, the protagonist, Noburu, grows up without a father and thus
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Noburu, with his Oedipus complex unresolved and his sexual growth stunted, is completely willing to follow the chief’s orders and remain stuck in the phallic stage. From the beginning of the novel, Noburu’s Oedipus complex is apparent. He watches his mother, Fusako, undress, noticing that “her slender body, shapely from playing tennis every week, was beautiful” (7). Without a father to curb this behavior, Noburu’s voyeurism goes on unchecked. The chief takes advantage of Noburu’s lack of sexual development, advocating behaviors associated with phallic stage fixation. He maintains that “all six of us are geniuses” (161) exploiting Noburu’s penchant for vanity. The chief also encourages aggressiveness and impulsiveness, commanding Noburu to smash a kitten to death on a log. Instead of promoting sexual development, the chief represses it; he trains Noburu “in such a way that practically nothing sexual…could surprise him (54)” and leads the group to disdain “boys brimming with curiosity about sex” (55). The chief believes it is a sign of maturity that he is not inquisitive about sexuality, but in reality it stunts his own and the boys’ sexual growth. In addition to encouraging characteristics associated with phallic stage fixation, the chief further stunts the groups’ development by fueling their Oedipus complexes. He claims “fathers are evil itself” …show more content…
Although he admires Ryuji, Noburu is reluctant to accept him, viewing him as a competitor for Fusako’s attention. Ryuji introduces Noburu to the mutualistic, adult relationships that define genital stage fixation. Ryuji sides with Noburu and keeps his secret about being in the park with the chief, “unit[ing] them in a tacit pact” (65). However, Ryuji’s “reassuring smile and quick assent disappointed Noburu” (64), who is not mature enough to understand Ryuji’s kindness. Noburu again rebukes Ryuji’s kindness when he includes “smiling at me in a cowardly ingratiating way” (81) as one of his charges against Ryuji. The chief conditions Noburu to believe that any mature behavior is abhorrent; when Ryuji decides to unlock Noburu’s door at night, Noburu believes Ryuji is beginning “a terrific, destructive education” (143) and “trying to force maturity on a thirteen-year-old boy. Maturity or, as the chief would call it, perversion” (143). Noburu’s fear that Ryuji will resolve his Oedipus complex becomes closer to a reality when Ryuji marries Fusako. Knowing that Noburu will react negatively to less attention Fusako “became more affectionate, devoted more time to looking after his needs. Obviously the prelude to something he was going to find difficult to accept” (141). Fusako is aware of Noburu’s Oedipus complex and joins Ryuji
Noburu, with his Oedipus complex unresolved and his sexual growth stunted, is completely willing to follow the chief’s orders and remain stuck in the phallic stage. From the beginning of the novel, Noburu’s Oedipus complex is apparent. He watches his mother, Fusako, undress, noticing that “her slender body, shapely from playing tennis every week, was beautiful” (7). Without a father to curb this behavior, Noburu’s voyeurism goes on unchecked. The chief takes advantage of Noburu’s lack of sexual development, advocating behaviors associated with phallic stage fixation. He maintains that “all six of us are geniuses” (161) exploiting Noburu’s penchant for vanity. The chief also encourages aggressiveness and impulsiveness, commanding Noburu to smash a kitten to death on a log. Instead of promoting sexual development, the chief represses it; he trains Noburu “in such a way that practically nothing sexual…could surprise him (54)” and leads the group to disdain “boys brimming with curiosity about sex” (55). The chief believes it is a sign of maturity that he is not inquisitive about sexuality, but in reality it stunts his own and the boys’ sexual growth. In addition to encouraging characteristics associated with phallic stage fixation, the chief further stunts the groups’ development by fueling their Oedipus complexes. He claims “fathers are evil itself” …show more content…
Although he admires Ryuji, Noburu is reluctant to accept him, viewing him as a competitor for Fusako’s attention. Ryuji introduces Noburu to the mutualistic, adult relationships that define genital stage fixation. Ryuji sides with Noburu and keeps his secret about being in the park with the chief, “unit[ing] them in a tacit pact” (65). However, Ryuji’s “reassuring smile and quick assent disappointed Noburu” (64), who is not mature enough to understand Ryuji’s kindness. Noburu again rebukes Ryuji’s kindness when he includes “smiling at me in a cowardly ingratiating way” (81) as one of his charges against Ryuji. The chief conditions Noburu to believe that any mature behavior is abhorrent; when Ryuji decides to unlock Noburu’s door at night, Noburu believes Ryuji is beginning “a terrific, destructive education” (143) and “trying to force maturity on a thirteen-year-old boy. Maturity or, as the chief would call it, perversion” (143). Noburu’s fear that Ryuji will resolve his Oedipus complex becomes closer to a reality when Ryuji marries Fusako. Knowing that Noburu will react negatively to less attention Fusako “became more affectionate, devoted more time to looking after his needs. Obviously the prelude to something he was going to find difficult to accept” (141). Fusako is aware of Noburu’s Oedipus complex and joins Ryuji