Psychological reading of Fear, by Gabriel Chevalier, based on Freud's theory of Eros and Thanatos

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, University of Tehran, French Department

2 PhD Candidate,French Department, University of Tehran

Abstract

Introduction
Gabriel Chevallier’s Fear is a seminal work of war literature that foregrounds the psychological dimension of human experience, particularly in the face of death and the anxieties it provokes. Through its stark portrayal of trench warfare and the inner turmoil of its protagonist, the novel offers a penetrating exploration of fear as both a personal and collective condition, making it a powerful indictment of the emotional toll of combat.
Methodology
This study, grounded in Sigmund Freud’s dual-drive theory of Eros and Thanatos, and employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, aims to elucidate how the life instinct (Eros)—associated with creativity, preservation, and libidinal energy—and the death instinct (Thanatos)—linked to aggression, repetition compulsion, and the unconscious desire for dissolution—are intricately interwoven into the narrative structure and psychological depth of the novel. Freud posits that these two fundamental drives operate in a dynamic tension, shaping human behavior through their opposing impulses: Eros seeks connection, continuity, and pleasure, while Thanatos gravitates toward stasis, destruction, and a return to an inorganic state.
Conclusion
The predominance of the epic atmosphere at the beginning of the war and the formation of death-loving feelings is, on the one hand, a reflection of social and ideological pressures, and on the other hand, it shows how the society behind the front participates in the rationalization of war. At the same time, the desire to survive and search for meaning in the heart of the battlefield represents the dynamic and hopeful force of Eros, who stands tall against Thanatos. Examining the narrative and characterization of the knight makes it clear how coexistence mixed with violence and death can be a platform for human growth and meaning-seeking. The findings of this research indicate that the novel of fear, while revealing the sufferings and helplessness of a person in war, gives field to the power of life and human bonds to present a multi-layered image of the mind of a war-struck soldier.

Keywords

References

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Critical Language and Literary studies
Volume 22, Issue 35 - Serial Number 12
September 2025
Pages 127-141

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