THE SELF IN THE OTHER : PSYCHOANALYTIC TRACING OF NARCISSISM IN LOVE RELATIONSHIPS OF LOKI FROM MCU AND THEODORE FROM HER

Sreehari S; Kavya Purushothaman

doi:10.29121/granthaalayah.v13.i13(4ISMER).2025.6088

THE SELF IN THE OTHER : PSYCHOANALYTIC TRACING OF NARCISSISM IN LOVE RELATIONSHIPS OF LOKI FROM MCU AND THEODORE FROM HER

Authors

Sreehari S Post Graduate Student, Department of English Language and Literature, Amrita School of Arts, Humanities and Commerce, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi campus.
Kavya Purushothaman Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, Amrita School of Arts, Humanities and Commerce, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi campus.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v13.i13(4ISMER).2025.6088

Keywords:

Narcissism, Narcissistic Cathexis, Psychoanalysis, Libidinal Energy, Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Theodore (Her), Pathological Narcissism

Abstract [English]

Narcissism originated from the Greek mythological story of Narcissus, a young man who fell in love with the reflection of himself, and is based on self-obsession, entitlement, and a desire for admiration. This essay examines a psychoanalytic interpretation of problematic love affairs in narcissistic individuals. This investigation is carried out using characters of Loki from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Theodore from Her. The paper studies how these love relationships align with narcissistic cathexis, introduced by Sigmund Freud, where individuals direct their libidinal energy inward, and Otto Kernberg’s theory of pathological narcissism. The study analyzes how these characters, in pursuing emotional intimacy, reveal their unresolved desires for validation and control. The evolution of the individuals in these relationships also suggests that the condition is affected by the early developmental experiences, leading to a distorted self-concept.

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References

Freud, S. (1914). On Narcissism: An Introduction (C. M. Baines, Trans.). In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 67–102). Hogarth Press. (Original work published 1914)

Gabbard, G. O. (2001). Psychiatry and the Cinema (2nd ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

Jonze, S. (Director). (2013). Her. Annapurna Pictures.

Kernberg, O. F. (1975). Borderline Conditions and Pathological Narcissism. Jason Aronson.

Marvel Studios. (2011–2021). The Marvel Cinematic Universe [Film series]. Marvel Entertainment.

Marvel Studios. (2021). Loki [TV series]. Disney+.

Ragland, E. (1995). Essays on the Pleasures of Death: from Freud To Lacan. Routledge.

Tagore, R. (1913). The Gardener. Macmillan.

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Published

2025-04-25

How to Cite

Sreehari S, & Purushothaman, K. (2025). THE SELF IN THE OTHER : PSYCHOANALYTIC TRACING OF NARCISSISM IN LOVE RELATIONSHIPS OF LOKI FROM MCU AND THEODORE FROM HER. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 13((4ISMER), 149–157. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v13.i13(4ISMER).2025.6088

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Issue

Vol. 13 No. (4ISMER) (2025): 4th Annual International Symposium on Media Education and Research - 2025

Section

Articles

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