Obsession With Physical Immortality in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray

This study examines the obsession with physical immortality in Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray using Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis theory, specifically focusing on the concepts of id, ego, and superego. The research aims to identify the underlying factors that drive this obsession and analyze its detrimental effects on psychological stability, moral integrity, and social relationships. Using a qualitative narrative approach, the novel serves as the primary data source, supplemented by relevant secondary literature. The results show obsession stems from the dominance of the id which continuously pursues pleasure and eternal youth. This obsession is further exacerbated by social pressure internalized through his superego, creating unresolved psychological conflicts. The negative impact of this obsession is seen in three main aspects. Psychologically, personality disintegration occurs, characterized by anxiety and paranoia. Socially, obsession leads to isolation and an inability to build healthy relationships with others. Research suggests that the obsessive pursuit of physical immortality, when driven by uncontrollable desires and social pressures, is ultimately self-destructive. These findings are relevant not only in a literary context but also in contemporary discussions about mental health and beauty standards in modern society. From a broader perspective, this study offers an analytical framework for understanding various forms of contemporary obsession rooted in an imbalance between the id, ego, and superego. Similar patterns can be observed in the obsession with material success, popularity, or other pursuits of perfection, often at the expense of psychological well-being and human relationships. Thus, this study not only contributes to literary and psychological studies but also offers a critical lens for interpreting various contemporary socio-cultural phenomena.