JPBS
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2026): Mei-Juli

The Eros Thanatos Dilemma In Shewn’s Sun/Shine (2015): A Psychoanalytic Study

Hafiz Seno Pamungkas (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Dwi Nur Cahyani Sri Kusumaningtyas (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jul 2026

Abstract

Song lyrics have become an important medium for representing psychological experiences and emotional struggles. Previous psychoanalytic studies have mainly examined defense mechanisms, inner conflict, and psychological aspects in various songs, while the psychological conflict between Eros and Thanatos in Shewn's Sun/Shine remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the representation of Eros, Thanatos, and the psychological conflict between these opposing instincts in the song. This research employs a qualitative approach using Freud's psychoanalytic theory. The data consist of the lyrics of Sun/Shine, which were analyzed through qualitative textual analysis. The findings reveal that Thanatos is represented through drowning, darkness, emotional suffocation, and identity loss, whereas Eros is represented through hope, sunlight, empathy, prayer, and the desire for recovery. The lyrics also portray psychological conflict through four binary oppositions: survival versus withdrawal, hope versus despair, connection versus isolation, and recovery versus emotional collapse. This study contributes theoretically to psychoanalytic literary criticism by extending Freud's theory to contemporary Indonesian independent music and practically by providing insight into how song lyrics represent psychological struggles through symbolic language.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jpbs

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Library & Information Science Other

Description

Jurnal pendidikan bahasa dan sastra adalah publikasi ilmiah yang memuat hasil penelitian, kajian teoritis, maupun gagasan konseptual yang berkaitan dengan pembelajaran, pengajaran, dan pengembangan bahasa serta sastra, baik bahasa Indonesia maupun bahasa asing. Jurnal ini menjadi wadah bagi para ...