Unveiling the Unconscious: Projection and Displacement in Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca

This study aims to explore the famous literary work "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier using the theoretical frameworks of projection and displacement from psychoanalysis in order to perform comprehensive analysis. In this study, the employment of projection is used to examine the manner in which the protagonist's doubts, fears, and desires are expressed through the idealized portrayal of Rebecca. This portrayal serves as an expression of the internal issues related to the protagonist. Additionally, this research uses displacement theory as a framework to have a closer look onto the defense mechanism of the protagonist in which she redirects her emotions linked to her personal issues towards the unknown character, Rebecca. The goal of the study is to analyze the complex psychological dynamics presented in "Rebecca" by examining the actions and thoughts that match projection and displacement. Through this analysis the study seeks to give a closer look into the internal conflicts the protagonist faces, and the influence of these defense mechanisms on her perception of both herself and other characters within the plot.