Repression in Saul Bellow’s Seize the Day and David Auburn’s Proof : A comparative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69475/RATEI.2026.1.2Keywords:
Repression, , psychoanalysis, , comparative study,, protagonists’ suffering.Abstract
Repression is a type of psychological suppression. It suppresses our thoughts and urges to speak up in a serious moment. Ignoring the repressive state complicates an understanding of the protagonists’ struggles, as repression is the central issue underlying their distress. Before dealing with the manifestations of repression, it is essential to identify the factors that extend it. Both American fiction Seize the Day (1956) and the drama Proof (2000) discuss those points from the same and sometimes different strains. This essay maintains a critical opposition toward repression, recognizing its role in culminating trauma and inhibiting self-expression. Furthermore, it considers both external circumstances and the protagonists’ internal attitudes and capabilities as contributing factors to repression. This study explains the main reason for the protagonists' suffering, which has not been addressed in previous research. Through comparative studies of the protagonists’ repression in both writings, this research paper explores multiple ways how people endure repression and the pain they suffer but how they dealt with it differently.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aelly Sarkar, Sajjadul Karim (Author)
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