Analysis of Defense Mechanisms in Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train

Abstract

This research paper seeks to examine the psychic behaviors and the defense strategies used by the leading character of Paula Hawkins’ novel, The Girl on the Train, Tom to avoid his emotional injuries. In order to explore how Tom uses defense mechanisms for releasing traumatic tensions and protect self-image, the research tool used for the investigation is Crammer’s concept of defense mechanism instruments such as such as repression, reaction formation, and denial. The uses of various types of defense mechanisms by Tom mainly repression, reaction formation and denial help him live his life with an ‘illusion of being clean’ despite being a cheater, liar and murderer. The research not only corresponds to the hidden incidents that Tom emerges on but also other factors supporting to the use of defense mechanism. It digs out the reasons Tom blames or neglects others and lives in the illusionary world of ‘being clean’ that justifies the flaws in his behavior. The finding is that the central character, Tom is suffering from ego split and he is trying to get out from tensions and anxiety. It is expected that this paper stands as a reference to the scholars intending to research Hawkins further.