From a Cool Girl to a Psychopathic Femme Fatale:

Abstract

Gillian Flynn's best-selling psychological thriller, Gone Girl (2012), presents a gripping story where Nick's wife, Amy, mysteriously vanishes on their fifth wedding anniversary. This thesis embarks on an analysis that weaves together psychoanalysis and feminist theory, probing into the intricate depths of Amy’s psyche, where light and darkness intertwine beneath her seemingly innocent façade. Chapter One serves as a theoretical foundation for the research. It delves into the essence of the American psychological thriller, followed by a brief summary of Freud's Psychoanalysis Theory (Id, Ego, and Superego) and Defense Mechanisms, in addition to the femme fatale archetype. Chapter Two is a comprehensive examination of Amy's intricate mind through the interplay between her Id, Ego, and Superego employing psychoanalysis to explore her defense mechanisms. Moreover, it investigates Amy’s psychopathy through Robert Hare’s Checklist, revealing the duality of her role as both protagonist and antagonist. Chapter Three examines Amy's defiance of societal norms via her Cool Girl monologue and her embodiment of the Psychopathic Femme Fatale. This analysis yields insightful findings. Amy's defiance of gender norms sheds light on the societal pressures faced by women, and her psychopathy highlights the sinister aspects of her portrayal as a Psychopathic Femme Fatale