Possession in The Conjuring: A Psychology of Literature Study

Pardi Pardi, Aigon Hariadi


Abstract


This study investigates the causes and effects of possession experienced by Carolyn Perron in Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes’s screenplay The Conjuring. Using a qualitative descriptive method and a psychology of literature approach, the study analyzes dialogue, actions, and stage directions related to Carolyn’s possession through close reading and thematic analysis. The findings reveal two primary causes of possession: psychological and spiritual factors. The psychological factor is reflected in Carolyn’s persistent fear, anxiety, and emotional distress resulting from the unexplained events in her home and her concern for the safety of her daughters. The spiritual factor is associated with Bathsheba, the former owner of the farmhouse, whose curse is presented in the screenplay as the supernatural force behind the disturbances and Carolyn’s possession. The possession produces three major effects: aggression, attempted killing, and attempted suicide. Carolyn demonstrates physical aggression by biting Brad and kicking Roger, attempts to kill her daughter April by holding her in a deadly grip, and attempts to take her own life by pulling a shotgun toward her chin and trying to pull the trigger. The findings indicate that the screenplay presents Carolyn’s possession as the result of an interaction between psychological vulnerability and supernatural influence, with its effects extending beyond Carolyn herself to threaten the safety of those around her.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30743/jol.v8i2.14469

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