Psychoanalytic analysis of Judas in BloomThe two main characters of "Judas in Bloom" by Katherine Anne Porter, Laura and Braggioni, attempt to realize an ideal: they want to realize themselves but also be integrated into a social society. Neither of them, however, manages to satisfy this ideal. Although Braggioni appears to be a self-actualized man, he is not fully accepted or integrated into society. Laura, on the other hand, is the opposite of Braggioni. Although she is completely embraced by the society she lives in, she personally feels alienated from it and dissatisfied as an individual. In their incomplete and dysfunctional personalities, Braggioni and Laura are seen as the embodiment of two psychic forces: the id and the superego. Braggioni, as the embodiment of the id, is primarily concerned with pleasure. Even just a physical description shows his extravagant self-indulgence. His "expensive garments" consist of a "lavender collar," a "purple tie, held by a circle of diamonds," a leather belt "worked in silver, [. . .] glass-yellow shoes [. . . and ] mauve silk stockings" (374). Braggioni's extravagant clothes show how he "loves himself with such tenderness, breadth and eternal charity" (372). Material possessions confirm and increase Braggioni's self-realization and self-esteem. Being a vain man, he demands the best for himself; gratifying himself gives him pleasure. Braggioni's love of small luxuries is not the only source of his pleasure (374). He also likes to be a controlling force. He tells Laura that "he is rich, not in money [...] but in power" (374). Men come to him when they are in trouble, and Braggioni delights in deciding whether he will help them or... middle of paper... As a result, Laura is wearing herself out. In his superego-dominated psyche, even his repressed desire for emotional pleasure and self-realization can only find expression as a form of self-destruction. This image in her dream of self-destruction causes Laura to scream "No!" again. He will not allow himself to fall victim to self-realization, just as Braggioni will not give up his pleasure. As a result, both remain characters who are unbalanced in their motivations and drives, thus making them dysfunctional. Until they manage to negotiate a compromise and a partnership between the principle of pleasure and the principle of morality, Laura and Braggioni will not be able to be healthy and fulfilled human beings. Works Cited Porter, Katherine Anne. "Judas in Bloom". 1930. Masterpieces of short stories. Ed. Robert Penn Warren and Albert Erskine. New York: Dell, 1958. 371-85.