Since the Victorian era, theorists have analyzed the mind and its functioning. Many consider Sigmund Freud the father of psychology. According to Freudian theory, humans are controlled by three personalities throughout their lives; the id, the ego and the superego. However, we are not born with all three. Instead “we are born with our ID” (“Structural Model”). At the age of three, the second part of the unconscious mind, the ego, develops. Subsequently, when the child is five years old, or his phallic phase of development ends, the structure of the Superego develops (“Structural Development”). Using psychoanalytic theory, we are able to analyze many modern texts. In the novels Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (hereinafter B: DKR) by Frank Miller and Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, the main characters have similar and different characteristics. Through their novels, we see the main characters of Batman: Dark Knight Returns and Shutter Island in particular, Bruce Wayne and Teddy Williams respectively, live their daily lives facing struggle, hardship and prosperity. Therefore, this essay analyzes the life of the character from both modern texts using Sigmund Freud's concept of Id, Ego and Super Ego. The id is found in the unconscious part of the mind and is also known as our primitive “satisfaction-seeking” instincts. in accordance with the pleasure principle” (“Id”). Furthermore, “the Pleasure Principle states that people see pleasure and avoid pain” (“Pleasure Principle”). As an infant, the Id (the initial structure of our personality) thinks in an animalistic way, without caring about anything other than its personal satisfaction ("Id, Ego and Superego"). For example, when a child is hungry or needs... middle of paper... Shutter Island by ehane, you notice that both books deal with the two very complex lives of Bruce Wayne as Batman and Teddy Daniels. the US Marshal respectively and how they manage day to day. Therefore, this essay analyzes the characters of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Shutter Island using the Freudian concept of id, ego, and super ego. Works Cited • “Id, Ego and Super Ego”. Wikipedia. np and nd Web. December 13, 2010.• Lehane, Dennis. Shutter Island. New York: HarperCollins Publisher, 2003. Print,• Miller, Frank and Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. NewYork: DC Comics, 2002. Print.• “Pleasure Principle.” Wikipedia. np and nd Web. 13 December 2010. • “Reality principle”. Wikipedia. np and nd Web. 13 Dec 2010.• “Structural development”. Everythingpsychological. np, 23 September 2002. Web. 13 December 2010.