An Analysis of Maternal Psychological Conflicts in My Sister's Keeper (2009) from a Psychoanalytic Perspective

Nadhifa Salma Arfina; Fitri Kurniawan

Authors

Nadhifa Salma Arfina Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia.
Fitri Kurniawan Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia.

Keywords:

Psychoanalysis, Freudian Theory, Maternal Conflict, Medical Decision-Making, My Sister’s Keeper

Abstract

This study analyzes the psychological conflicts experienced by Sara Fitzgerald in My Sister’s Keeper (2009) using a psychoanalytic approach. By applying Sigmund Freud’s theory of the Id, Ego, and Superego, this research explores how Sara’s unconscious psychological factors influence her medical decision-making for her children. The study examines Sara’s internal struggles, ethical dilemmas, and the emotional burden she faces as a mother balancing her responsibilities toward her terminally ill daughter, Kate, and her other children. The findings reveal that Sara’s Id drives her impulsive decisions to prioritize Kate’s survival, her Ego attempts to mediate between rational choices and emotional responses, while her Superego generates guilt as she confronts moral and ethical considerations. Additionally, the research highlights the impact of Sara’s attachment patterns on her relationships with her children, showing how insecure attachments contribute to family conflicts. Through a detailed analysis of key scenes, this study illustrates how My Sister’s Keeper portrays the complexity of maternal love, moral responsibility, and the psychological challenges of life-altering decisions.

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