Psychoanalysis and Trauma in Brazil Nathan Young College

Terry Gilliam’s Brazil is a film so completely embedded with intentionally placed symbolism and plot that it is difficult to pinpoint a single theoretical lense in which to tackle the movie with; put simply, there is just too much going on. Aside from the inherently obvious themes (totalitarianism, new historicism, etc.), there remain several others in which provide a unique perspective on the film. One that is particularly appealing is the use of Freud’s psychoanalysis applied to the film’s protagonist, Sam Lowry. In the final and climactic moments of the text, the viewer witnesses the mental processes of psychosis and delusion that Lowry undergoes; this psychosis is a product of a medley of different traumas ranging from early childhood development to the more recent ones of his present situation.

Before delving into the final passage of the film, it is necessary to establish some background information on Sam Lowry. As aforementioned, the film is so riddled with content that it can be difficult to find contextual footing to start. Perhaps then it is appropriate to start with the beginning; not of the film, but rather in regards to Lowry’s early development as a child. Little is revealed about Lowry specifically, however the...