Education, Language and Sociology Research ISSN 2690-3644 (Print) ISSN 2690-3652 (Online) Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr 1 Original Paper The Hulk’s Unconscious in His Conscious World: A Psychoanalytic Critique Iqra Kiran1, Farah Kiran1, Ayesha Kiran1 & Dr. Muhammad Arfan Lodhi2* 1 Department of English, NCBA&E University, Bahawalpur 2 Department of English, Higher Education Department (Collegiate Wing), Punjab, Pakistan * Dr. Muhammad Arfan Lodhi, Department of English, Higher Education Department (Collegiate Wing) Punjab, Pakistan Received: October 17, 2023 Accepted: November 3, 2023 Online Published: November 24, 2023 doi:10.22158/elsr.v5n1p1 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/elsr.v5n1p1 Abstract This study investigated Bruce Banner’s alter ego, The Hulk, represents the conflict between human nature’s conscious and unconscious sides. It explores the Hulk’s inner life, concentrating on how his unconscious thinking manifests in his conscious reality. The first goal is to comprehend the psychological notion of individual identification. The second goal is to observe the universe through the eyes of hulk, and the third goal is to investigate ego, id and super ego in both the mortal and immortal (post human) worlds. The qualitative method is chosen to acquire secondary information from associated domains in order to fulfill these goals. The first step in this research is to read the character closely to understand the direction of humanity. The analysis of terminologies involved in human personality and their connections to inner and outer world is the second step. The study of final phase is to write findings, which include a review of the interpretation. This research yielded three conclusions. To begin with, the interactions between the Hulk and other characters, including allies and foes, in his conscious universe are covered in this essay. Secondly, it examines the ways in which these encounters reveal the Hulk’s inner conflicts and offer light on his psychological condition. Keywords psychoanalysis, kids literature, unconscious, identity clash, self-Control 1. Introduction Consciousness is mental architecture can be compared to the top layer of a river. It just takes up a tenth of entire mental life. The conscious part of minds are the concepts, ideas, and images that humans are aware of at any one time in their mental lives. Preconscious is ordinary memory is represented by the www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 2 Published by SCHOLINK INC. preconscious mind, which is a mental entity. When one needs it, one can retrieve and bring this knowledge into consciousness even if humans are not consciously aware of it right now. The unconscious is located below the preconscious mind. It is the most crucial component of minds. It encompasses all the suppressed hopes, aspirations, emotions, motivations, and impulses, many of which have sex-aggression-related overtones (Wintermae, 2021). Psychoanalysis is a clinical approach to treating psychopathology, and psychoanalytic theory aids in understanding of a person’s personality and personality development. The creator of psychoanalytic theory was Sigmund Freud. Based on the advancement of the physical science at the time, he created this theory. Under the impact of contemporary research, the psychoanalytic hypothesis has since undergone numerous improvements. The id, ego, and superego are three crucially conceptualized aspects of the human psyche, in Freud’s view. Id functions at the unconscious level and is based on the pleasure principle. Eros and Thanatos are two different biological tendencies that make up the id. The instinct for life, Eros, guides a person’s efforts to maintain their existence in the world, including breathing, eating, and having sex. Libido is the energy that results from life instincts. All people possess a set of destructive instincts known as Thanatos, or death instincts. Others as aggressiveness or violence can occasionally express this energy. Freud was adamant that Eros was more powerful than Thanatos. People can always rely on it for survival (Sibi, 2020). Bruce Banner, who represents the Ego, and the Hulk, who represents the Id, are these two identities. When under pressure, Bruce Banner turns into the Hulk and poses a threat to society. The Hulk becomes unrestrained and loses contact with his conscious mind in this stage. Because of his difficult upbringing, Banner has wrath and rage issues that are deeply ingrained in his unconscious mind. The Hulk operates from his Id when under stress and assumes his alternate form, entirely losing the connection between his Ego and Superego. Bruce Banner started to change into the Hulk after exposed to radiation after being caught in a gamma ray explosion. With anger, he grows bigger and stronger. Bruce Banner’s past was incredibly difficult. His drunken father was deeply envious and hated him, along with his brilliance as a child and his relationship with his mother. When his father Brian Banner drank, he and his mother Rebecca suffered abuse. While Rebecca was trying to flee, Brian shot and killed her, scaring Bruce into remaining silent. Bruce experienced trauma and abuse, which made him a social pariah and contributed to the development of his psychological problems. 1.1 Rationale of the Study The following study highlights the Hulk’s persona by looking at the psychological and physical changes that take place when Dr. Banner turns into his powerful alter ego. This aims to shed light on the fundamental causes of this transformation and its tremendous effects on Dr. Banner’s personal journey by examining many iterations of the Hulk in comic books, movies, and television adaptations. This paper investigates how people confront their id, ego and super-ego, how they control and overcome their conscious and unconscious levels. Additionally, the elucidation of the following study endeavors to get to the genuine human personality and their fears. www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 3 Published by SCHOLINK INC. 1.2 Research Questions 1) How does the unconsciousness effect The Hulk’s consciousness in the comic book? 2) What role does ego play in the character The Hulk? 3) How can science destroy humanity in terms of persona in character The Hulk? 2. Literature Review The Immortal Hulk, the most recent comic book to feature Dr. Bruce Banner and his green alter ego, has gained a tone of praise from both fans and critics since its release in 2018. The series, which was created by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett, focuses on a recent discovery about the hero: Bruce Banner can die, but the Hulk cannot, making them, as the title suggests, immortal. With the help of this zombie twist, Ewing and Bennett can transform The Hulk into a horror novel that is more akin to Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing or vintage EC Comics (Gus, 2021). Ang Lee directs the first movie of The Hulk in 2003. Lee never loses sight of the fact that the Hulk is a comic book character, even though he infuses the movie with a lot of philosophy and sorrow. He typically uses kinetic camera motions, a broad range of viewpoints, and extreme distances in his direction, which is frequently outrageously exaggerated. Additionally, he usually employs several split screens, which separate the viewing area into a multi-paneled canvas that closely resembles a comic book page. Lee occasionally employs extravagant visual methods, yet they seldom cross the line into pretentiousness or annoyance (James, 2003). The interconnection demonstrates how humans’ racial divisions overlap to determine how they live their lives. When someone explores how distinct elements of a human’s ethnic identity have affected her or his lifestyle, identity conflicts emerge. This covers affiliation with clearly identifiable ethnic communities centered on tribe, religion, culture, speech, financial rank and sexual orientation, as well as involvement in other kinds of activities such as specific location, social class, athletic ability, and relationships. Identity is a mental state in which a person realizes their own personality traits, which aids in the discovery of where they come from and what they do in comparison to others. The concept of identity is frequently depicted in journals, works of fiction, and other literary works in order for the audience to be captivated and empathize with the protagonists and their sentiments. It aids viewers in comprehending that an individual’s thought process is filled with difficult concerns about what they are doing and where people aspire to be. Human beings might struggle as hard as they wish to change their identities. Superhero the Incredible Hulk is a made-up character that appears in Marvel Comics comic books. The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962) featured the first appearance of the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby-created character. He is a huge, green, radioactively altered, mutant humanoid monster with superhuman strength and an uncontrollable wrath. The Hulk has been described as ruthless and overly aggressive at times and as clever, smart, and scheming at other times. He is frequently characterized as an antagonist. The Hulk is portrayed, as Dr. Bruce Banner’s reclusive and repressed passionate and impetuous alter ego. Lee claimed that a combination of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde served as the basis for the creation of the Hulk. “Hulk is the strongest there is!” is one of his two famous catchphrases, and the more www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 4 Published by SCHOLINK INC. popular “HULK SMASH!” Bruce Banner has the gamma-induced capacity to change into the Hulk, his monster alter ego. The circumstances that initially caused the transition to occur have changed. Initially, it was dusk when the Hulk gained his form and morning when Banner reverted. Later, a powerful adrenaline rush would start the metamorphosis. Based on different aspects of Banner’s nature, he has appeared in different, distinct forms, including Banner himself but emotionally restrained. A grey-skinned Hulk with Banner’s intelligence but limited morals, a green-skinned Hulk with a balanced fusion of all of the above, and a green-skinned Hulk with the mind of a child and driven by rage. In his Hulk-like incarnation, Banner has a monster body and face, incredible strength, invulnerability, and superhuman regeneration capabilities. The Hulk has amazing leaping ability, imitating near-flight skills in terms of sheer distance, thanks to his enormous leg muscles. The Hulk’s physiology is powered by adrenaline under extreme stress, therefore the longer he battles, the stronger he gets. Banner has demonstrated a variety of additional abilities in addition to the Hulk. The effects of gamma radiation, along with the fact that Bruce mistakenly killed his father and thought he would return to exact retribution, have given him the capacity to see and touch astral beings as if they were real. Additionally, he has homing abilities that are on the edge of being magical that enable him to find individuals while tunneling underground or sense the environment they are in. It is implied that the Hulk has untapped power yet to be exposed because of the mystical aura around him. Bruce Banner explores his own psyche using a technology that sends him inside his own thoughts in The Incredible Hulk volume 2 #13 (2000). There is a collision of temperaments. It’s a wrestling bout between id and ego, with the winner controlling the body and the loser retiring permanently (Jenkins, 2000, p. 7). As Bruce discovers, a beast inside of him known as the id fights for control of the body and attempts to annihilate everything it meets. Bruce’s ego is formed by the numerous Hulks inside of him, leaving Bruce (the super-ego) to control a multiplicity of personalities. The ego (the Hulk) and the id do not have the same desires. Here, the Hulk and all his guises stand in for the ego’s conflict with the id. In contrast to his inner self, Bruce Banner embodies elegance and civilization. But the Hulk’s different guises display an even greater diversity of motives and personalities, suggesting an even greater complexity in terms of morality, identity, and decision-making. The several manifestations of the Hulk (the ego) in Bruce Banner’s psyche point to a more nuanced relationship between the id, the ego, and the super-ego. The Incredible Hulk, which uses the terms id and ego to portray the architecture of the human psyche, is blatantly influenced by Freud’s theories. Bruce and his Hulks unmistakably represent a more sophisticated image of the conscious in that the ego is more varied and not as docile towards this id. Contrary to Freud, Bruce exhibits a multiplicity of personalities, suggesting a higher level of complexity. Bruce thus shows a process of his own (Jenkins, 2000). www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 5 Published by SCHOLINK INC. 3. Research Methodology Research is stated as “a practice that comprises learning that didn’t know in a much or least structured approach” (Walliman & Walliman, 2011, p. 7). “Methodology is the “intellectual paradigm or premise within which study is undertaken” (Brown, 2006). The present study shows the ‘interface’ that links all the categories. A structure uses to explore all-important points. This study addresses research questions with valid justification. The present study uses explanatory method. This type of research explains strategy and choice of subjects. Moreover, the present study is a qualitative exploration. In research jargon, the population is clarified as a substantial collection of students, instructors, objects, and so on who reflect similar traits, which arouse an expert’s concern. The inherent qualities of clusters distinguish individuals from other people, educational institutions, items, and so forth. For present research, the Hulk’s development into a strong and uncontrollable force serves as an example of the link between suppressed rage and its negative effects. Strong feelings of anger or fury that have been suppressed or inhibited are referred to as repressed anger. Due to traumatic events, a fear of losing control, or a desire to keep a calm and collected demeanor, Bruce Banner, the Hulk’s alter ego, conceals his wrath. Over time, this repression causes anger to become internally stored. The Hulk is created when Bruce Banner’s suppressed fury reaches a breaking point and causes a bodily metamorphosis. The Hulk is a huge, green-skinned, super-strong entity with seemingly infinite strength. This transformation is a direct outcome of the pent-up rage needing a release, as if it explodes out of control. The Hulk represents unbridled fury and violence when he first appears. The Hulk acts destructively and stirs up trouble wherever he goes because of the previously suppressed fury being released. The Hulk’s destructive power is amplified by his lack of restraint and inability to control his emotions, causing collateral damage and putting innocent lives in peril. We may comprehend the significance of admitting and dealing with our emotions when we consider the cause and effect relationship between suppressed rage and the Hulk’s metamorphosis. The Hulk acts as a warning, reminding us of the possible repercussions that may result from concealing or failing to adequately control anger. It emphasizes how important it is to find appropriate outlets for emotions, seek counselling or assistance, and promote emotional wellness to stop the progression of harmful behavior. Data has been collected by qualitative research method. The present work has different new ideas. This work justifies the value of conscious and unconscious mind in human’s life and different changes that occur in whole universe. The data of this research paper collected from two sources namely; primary and secondary. This research paper is descriptive in nature and different articles, critical analysis, observations and categories are the source of data collection as well as tools of data collection. Other tools are literary books and journals. There is no questionnaire in this study. Data collection is the technique of acquiring details about a cultural situation and predicting figures on elements of concern in an organized, logical and systematic format that seeks to identify to stated hypotheses, evaluate arguments, and evaluate outputs. Data Analysis is the interaction of carefully use precise and consistent ways to show and represent, collect and summarize, and evaluate data. Various optimization www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 6 Published by SCHOLINK INC. frameworks “provide a means of extracting intuitive interpretations using data and distinguishing the indicator (the marvel of concern) from the noise (observable shifts) included in the data” (Shamoo & Resnik, 2003). 3.1 Framework of Analysis The data is analyzed in three different contents i.e. Character Disclosure, Personality and Redemption and Heroism. These three categories are further divided into sub-categories. The foundation of the character in the comic books centers on Bruce Banner, a brilliant scientist who becomes the Hulk, a huge, green-skinned, superhumanly strong being with almost limitless strength and regenerative powers. The Hulk’s narrative addresses themes of rage, dualism, and Banner’s conflict with his terrifying alter ego. The character of Hulk has two different personalities. During his transformation into Hulk what he does states in his conscious; but when he returns into his human features he does not remember anything. All the memories of Hulk states in Dr. Banner’s preconscious. The framework also elaborates the themes of destruction, loneliness, anger, emotion, self-control, isolation and identity. Table 1. Framework of Analysis Categories Subcategories Character Disclosure Conscious Unconscious Preconscious Personality ID Ego Super-Ego Redemption and Heroism Identity and Self-Control Anger and Emotion Loneliness and Isolation 4. Analysis and Discussions The artwork is also graphic in a manner that a superhero comic is frequently not. Both Banner and the Hulk sustain severe wounds that are described in detail. Banner reflects on how he attempts to enjoy his senses while he has them under control, hinting to the readers that these sensory experiences serve as both his release and his confinement. The Hulk is shown as being enormous, terrifying, and destructive. He almost becomes a natural force, and an earthquake is often used to compare him. Something more complicated but equally unsettling goes with the visceral body horror. The Hulk is motivated by retribution. Because earthquakes do not occur as punishment, he is not like one. However, The Hulk is a vindictive force, harming those he believes deserve it, especially when gamma radiation is present. Banner continues to wonder how much of the Hulk’s behavior he is accountable. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 7 Published by SCHOLINK INC. Hyde are specifically mentioned to emphasize this split and a recurring motif of mirrors and reflection supports this division of thoughts and motivations. The Hulk’s ability to sniff falsehoods and his piercing gaze cause him to make criminals confess before punishing them, which has religious overtones and seems to encroach on Ghost Rider’s turf. The Hulk is frequently referred to as the devil, and everyone who has been exposed to Gamma radiation has experienced the identical vision of a green door, which at least one character speculates is the entrance to Hell. These features add a cryptic, inexplicable layer of unease to a work that is already filled with horror-related motifs. A wonderful book to read is The Immortal Hulk. Longtime Hulk fans will enjoy this book’s fresh perspective on the character, while newcomers will value how the focus is on the Hulk right away without needing to be familiar with the character’s lengthy past. These Hulk tales surely come up to their promise of being a wild and extraordinary experience (Tomko, 2022). Freud offered a three-part model of the psyche as part of his psyche theories. In his explanation of the first two, he claimed, “The ego represents what we call reason and sanity, in contrast to the id, which contains the passions.” He maintained that the psyche was made up of the ego, the id, and the super-ego (Freud, 2010, p. 24). In contrast, the super-ego was the part of the ego that dealt with the punishment-based regulation of the ego’s decisions. Freud also proposed that people have two intrinsic impulses, the destructive drive and the Eros drive, both of which were rooted in desires like eating, sex, and aggressiveness. These drives, according to Freud, are manifested in the id’s wants. The super-ego’s regulation of the id’s passions, according to Freud’s model of the psyche in relation to civilization, is a method of control used by civilization “to inhibit the aggression it faces, to render it harmless and possibly eliminate it?” (Freud, 2014, p. 87) According to his theory, the super-ego suppresses the id’s aggressiveness, which is then “interjected, internalized, and actually sent back to where it came from” and “directed against the individual’s own ego.” There, a part of the ego takes over and positions itself as the super-ego in opposition to the others. This part of the ego is now ready, as the ‘aware’ one, to use the same level of severe hostility against the other parts of the ego that it would have like to do (Freud, 2014, p. 88). In this version of The Last Man on Earth with green skin, Bruce Banner tells himself, “I am the weak piston in that engine,” while he suffers Prometheus’ torture. Hulk has at last discovered the solitude he has been searching for since humanity long since vanished. The specifics of man’s extinction are never revealed; we are just told that the world’s super heroes failed to save man from his greatest enemy, himself. The Hulk’s unstoppable metabolism has somehow prevented Banner from dying for almost two centuries while also slowing his ageing (Doherty, 2006). When Bruce Banner comes back from the grave and discovers himself a victim of his own life, he is as shocked as anyone is. Every morning he awakens nude and poor because every night he transforms into the Hulk, who has his own goal and is invisible to Banner. He primarily appears to be following other gamma radiation exposed individuals, many of whom have been seeing the identical vision of an open green door. Arizona Herald reporter Jackie McGee is following the Hulk’s route of devastation. www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 8 Published by SCHOLINK INC. Because she broke the story of the Hulk’s return, she persuaded her editors to grant her a lot more latitude. She is pursuing him for personal reasons as well, including a childhood encounter with the Hulk. Due to his personal past with Banner, Sasquatch, another Gamma-powered superhero from Alpha Flight, is also on the quest for Banner. Nobody can predict, however, whether the passionate destruction of the Hulk or the logical Bruce Banner will triumph when his or her paths intersect. This comic is both a superhero comic and a horror comic. Although Banner is aware that every night he will transform into the Hulk, he does not want to. As a result, he is unable to lead anything approximating a normal life and is therefore at the Hulk’s mercy. It turns out that he must survive. Early on, readers learn that while Bruce Banner can pass away, the Hulk cannot. The Hulk takes control of Bruce Banner’s corpse one night while it is on a coroner’s table, resurrecting the dead flesh in a manner reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster. Because the Hulk is so fearsome, the art frequently uses framing from horror films as inspiration. This anxiety is fuelled in part by physical horror. With good reason, Banner is terrified of what his body can do and become. In this magnificent, invincible body, Banner is a prisoner to the Hulk’s demands. The transformation into the Hulk is depicted as a traumatic and gory procedure, comparable to a werewolf metamorphosis. 5. Justification of Research Questions 5.1 How Does the Unconsciousness Effect The Hulk’s Consciousness in the Comic Book? The relationship between Bruce Banner and the Hulk is complex and has evolved over time. When it comes to the unconsciousness of Bruce Banner, it often serves as a trigger for the emergence of the Hulk. Usually, the Hulk takes over after Banner is knocked out or nods off. Extreme emotions, danger, or physical trauma is just a few examples of the many things that might start this transition. When Banner is unconscious, the Hulk’s awareness emerges, giving him the ability to act on his own. The Hulk is frequently portrayed as a distinct personality with his own thoughts, aspirations, and driving forces inside Banner’s psyche. The Hulk is incredibly strong and resilient, but he is also motivated by strong emotions, especially fury. Compared to Banner’s, The Hulk’s consciousness is frequently portrayed as being more primitive and less logical. When Banner loses consciousness, the Hulk takes over his body and uses his own emotions and instincts to drive his actions. Unpredictable behavior and destructive tendencies may come from this. The Hulk’s consciousness is frequently less constrained by moral and societal expectations, which frequently results in careless and violent behavior. It is vital to remember that the specifics of the bond between Banner and the Hulk might change depending on the comic book storyline. They are sometimes depicted as separate entities, with the Hulk possessing a separate consciousness from Banner’s that coexists with it. When this occurs, Banner and the Hulk could argue inside or try to maintain control over their shared body. According to some theories, Banner’s suppressed emotions or a disjointed portion of his own psyche are represented by the Hulk. In these instances, the Hulk stands in for the aspects of Banner that he finds difficult to control or reconcile, and his appearance is frequently brought on by trauma or mental stress. Depending on the www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 9 Published by SCHOLINK INC. creative team and the plot being investigated, the Hulk’s consciousness in connection to Banner’s unconsciousness may be depicted differently. The character has become more complex over time because of the various ways that authors and artists have interpreted this dynamic. 5.2 What Role Does Ego Play in the Character The Hulk? In terms of psychology, the ego is the area of a person’s psyche that deals with self-awareness, self-esteem, and the need for approval and fulfilment. It is linked to one’s sense of self-importance and identity. Due to the character’s change and its connection to Bruce Banner’s psyche, The Hulk’s ego assumes a special significance. Bruce Banner’s transformation into The Hulk symbolizes the discharge of his suppressed emotions as well as the display of his ego in its most unadulterated state. The Hulk acts instinctively and unrestrainedly on his immediate impulses and emotions. He is not constrained by cultural expectations, laws, or repercussions, which allows his ego to govern. Unrestrained might and Dominance: The Hulk’s enormous size, might, and invulnerability support his egocentric actions. He feels superior to and in control of others thanks to his physical abilities. The Hulk frequently does violent acts or makes strong physical declarations to prove that he is the most powerful being in any circumstance. His ego yearns for approval and insists that people recognize his dominance. Anger is a fundamental emotion that causes The Hulk to appear, and emotional triggers such as stress and anxiety are the main factors that cause The Hulk to transform. The relationship between The Hulk’s ego and his rage emphasizes how important ego is for controlling and expressing strong emotions. The Hulk’s ego grows stronger and more dominating the more furious Bruce Banner becomes. Bruce Banner battles with The Hulk’s destructive ego to keep it under control. This internal struggle is an illustration of the struggle between rational thought and instinctual behavior, or between the need for control and the outburst of emotions. Bruce, who is aware of the potential damage The Hulk may do, tries to control his transformation out of concern for what would happen if he let his ego run wild. The persona of The Hulk can be interpreted as a parable for the effects of an unbridled ego and the perils of unregulated power. It conveys the idea that allowing the ego to run amok can result in chaos, devastation, and harm to both oneself and other people. The Hulk’s ongoing effort to manage his egotistical impulses and sensible side emphasizes the importance of balance and self-control. 5.3 How Can Science Destroy Humanity in Terms of Persona in Character The Hulk? Bruce Banner is a leading expert in nuclear physics and other related fields thanks to his intelligence, but these traits are normally lost when Bruce Banner transforms into the monstrous Hulk, who exists as a physical manifestation of his repressed rage and mental instability. The Hulk’s power continues to be the greatest of all super humans on Earth and grows exponentially stronger as his rage intensifies. Along with giving him an advantage with his upper body, this strength also enables him to make long leaps without suffering any injuries. In this scenario, genetic research is being conducted to improve human capabilities or qualities. They could change certain genes or add unfamiliar genetic material to the human DNA. Nevertheless, a calculating error has unexpected repercussions that lead to a transformation akin to the Hulk. The experiment might involve changing genes involved in hormone regulation, muscle growth, or www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 10 Published by SCHOLINK INC. the arousal of anger. Making people who are stronger, faster, or more resilient may be the targeted outcome. The victims undergo a severe physical alteration due to the unpredictable mutations caused by the altered genetic code. They grow bigger, stronger, and have an unending wrath that gives them their incredible strength. These Hulk-like individuals would become irrational and lose control of their activities, wreaking havoc and endangering humanity. They might embark on violent rampages while being unable to discern between friends and enemies that causing chaos and destruction everywhere they go. In this hypothetical situation, scientists conduct unethical human enhancement operations to develop super soldiers or improve physical capabilities beyond what is possible naturally. They create a serum or treatment that boosts aggression, stamina, or strength. They fail to account for the negative repercussions and long-term effects of their inventions. The experimental medicines can entail administering strong medications, gene therapies, or even cybernetic improvements. Making powerful and highly effective people is the intended outcome. However, unforeseen outcomes of the treatments include drastic personality changes and uncontrollable violence, akin to the Hulk. Those who received the upgrades would change physically, growing bigger, more muscular, and exhibiting an unquenchable fury. They would act violently and destructively when they lost control of themselves. The upgraded people might pose a threat to humanity by unleashing their uncontrollable rage and strength on gullible populations. 6. Conclusion Marvel Comics’ fictional creation The Hulk has a complicated and nuanced personality. The Hulk has been portrayed in a variety of ways over the years in comic books, television series, and films, allowing for the exploration of various facets of his psyche. However, several recurring characteristics and inferences can be made regarding the personality of the Hulk. The Incredible Hulk is primarily famous for his superhuman strength and unyielding fury. Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk, one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, as he undergoes an exponential rise in physical strength. Anger is a distinguishing quality of The Hulk and is frequently brought on by irritation, injustice, or threat. This wrath may result in violent outbursts and destructive behavior. The Hulk is frequently portrayed as being naive and immature, lacking Bruce Banner’s mental and emotional maturity. He reacts to events impulsively because he relies on intuition and unprocessed emotions to function. Others may feel pity and compassion for him since they can see the fragile person hiding behind the huge exterior thanks to this infantile component of his personality. The ongoing internal conflict between Bruce Banner and the Hulk persona shapes the Hulk’s nature. The Hulk personifies Bruce Banner’s repressed emotions and trauma, while the brilliant scientist Bruce Banner represents the rational and intellectual side. Because of this duality, the character experiences conflict as both sides struggle for power and influence over their shared existence. This internal struggle gives the Hulk more personality depth and complexity, presenting him as a tragic character seeking equilibrium and acceptance. From being, a straightforward brute force persona to a more www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 11 Published by SCHOLINK INC. psychologically nuanced one, the Hulk has changed over time. His psychological makeup has been examined by writers, who have focused on issues like trauma, identity, and the nature of power. Despite his superhuman abilities, the Hulk is now more relatable and human thanks to this investigation into his character. His struggle for control is one of the fundamental facets of the Hulk’s personality. Frequently brought on by strong emotions or danger, Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Hulk happens without his consent. The difficulty of controlling and directing strong emotions is explored through the core issue of the protagonist’s loss of control over his own change. Being the Hulk brings some catharsis because he stands for the unleashing of suppressed feelings. Bruce Banner may try to hold back his rage and frustration, but those feelings eventually express physically as the Hulk. Bruce can temporarily feel unfettered and set free from society restraints thanks to the Hulk. The Hulk’s participation in superhero teams like the Avengers gives his character an intriguing dynamic. Tensions and disputes frequently arise because of the other team members’ inability to comprehend and manage the Hulk. These interactions offer chances for character growth and the examination of concepts like faith, acceptance, and the importance of diversity in a group. Over time, there has been a substantial evolution in The Hulk’s persona. He was largely portrayed as a mindless brute in earlier depictions, but subsequent interpretations added a more cerebral form known as “Professor Hulk.” This development demonstrates that even the Hulk can adapt and changing as part of the character is continuing study of his or her depth. Despite the Hulk’s destructive instincts, he frequently seizes chances for atonement and performs brave acts. He may use his tremendous might for good, defending the defenseless and taking on powerful adversaries. This contrast demonstrates the possibility of change and people’s ability to conquer their personal problems and become heroes. The Hulk’s existence frequently causes feelings of solitude and loneliness. Bruce Banner’s condition makes him unique since it is challenging him to retain friendships and a sense of belonging when he transforms into the Hulk. The Hulk’s imposing physicality serves as a barrier to intimacy and connection, which exacerbates feelings of loneliness. The impact of feeling like an outsider is examined in this facet of the character along with the urge for acceptance and connection that all people have. It clarifies the difficulties associated with locating one’s position in the world when one’s nature makes them unique. In conclusion, this study identifies the gap of The Hulk’s character disclosure, personality and redemption stages such as heroism, identity, self-control, anger, emotion, loneliness and isolation. References Bhat, A. (n.d.). Exploratory Research: Types & Characteristics. Retrieved from https://www.questionpro.com/blog/exploratory-research/ Berardinelli, J. (2003). Hulk (United States, 2003). Retrieved from https://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/hul www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/elsr Education, Language and Sociology Research Vol. 5, No. 1, 2024 12 Published by SCHOLINK INC. Brikci, N. (2007). A Guide to Using Qualitative Research Methodology. Retrieved from https://www.alnap.org/system/files/content/resource/files/main/qualitative-research-methodology.p df Cropley, A. J. (2019). Qualitative research methods: A practice-oriented introduction for students of psychology and education. Riga, Latvia: Zinātne. Fandom. (2021). The Incredible Hulk (2021). Retrieved from https://hulk.fandom.com/wiki/The_Incredible_Hulk_(Comics) Fine, S. (1982). Human factors and human consequences: Opening commentary. In A. Kent, & T. J. Galvin (Eds.), Information Technology: Critical Choices for Library Decision Makers (pp. 209-224). Freud, S. (1923). Psychological Analysis in Freud. Retrieved from https://www.traverse.asia/index.php/traverse/article/view/19/19 Freud. S. (2010). The Ego and the Id. United States: Pacific Publishing Studio. Freud. S. (2014). Civilization and its discontents. Great Britain: Penguin classics. Gus. (2021). Comics in Conversation with Literature: The Immortal Hulk. Retrieved from https://www.wcl.govt.nz/blog/index.php/2021/03/03/comics-in-conversation-with-literature-the-i mmortal-hulk/ Josselson, R. (n.d.). Narrative Research. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412961 Korukonda, A. R. (2005). Personality, Individual Characteristics, and Predisposition to Technophobia: Some Answers, Questions, and Points to Ponder about. Information Sciences, 170, 309-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2004.03.007 Loewald, W. H. (2017). Psychoanalytical Theory and the Psychoanalytical Process. https://doi.org/10.1080/00797308.1970.11823275 Mehmood, R. (2012). Psychological Analysis of the Incredible Hulk. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/p0bmekxg_z_m/psychological-analysis-of-the-incredible-hulk/. Naar. D. (2022). What Is Psychoanalytic Theory and How Did It Develop. Retrieved from world view/strengths-weaknesses-psychoanalytictheory7e2731eb633f2ca1? Pillai, A. A., & Kaushal, U. (2020). Basic Research in the Humanities. Retrieved August 8, 2023, from http://4humanities.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Basic-Research-in-the-Humanities.pdf. Sibi. K. J. (2020). Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalytical Theory. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342610778_Sigmund_Freud_And_Psychoanalytic _Theory. Wintermae. (2021). Psychoanalytic Theory by Sigmund Freud. Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/533919768/Psychoanalytic-Theory-by-Freud# https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ins.2004.03.007