"Dark Echoes of the Repressed in Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2" by Itzel G. Corona
 

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-7-2025

Faculty Advisor(s)

Ian Barnard

Abstract

Horror films fulfill a unique psychological need in contemporary society, allowing viewers to confront and release repressed impulses. Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Part Two (1986) exemplifies how the genre explores deeper themes, particularly through phallic symbolism and the unconscious mind. Using the chainsaw as a phallic symbol, the film delves into power dynamics, sexuality, and societal norms, reflecting Freud’s theory of the return of the repressed. This paper applies Freudian psychoanalysis, drawing on works by Murray Leader and Linda Williams, to explore how repressed desires manifest in the film. The chainsaw represents twisted masculinity, with Leatherface embodying repressed sexual and gender desires. The protagonist, Stretch, transitions from victim to empowered figure, challenging traditional gender roles and highlighting the link between violence, power, and sexual control. The film critiques conventional horror tropes, offering a nuanced exploration of repression, gender identity, and cultural power relations.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2025 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

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