SPOILER: The Id we don't speak of

Rating: Null/10 (30 July 2004)

M. Night Shyamalan's newest picture is symbolic of our society in many ways. In Covington there is a very strict sense of rules, ediquite and approval. As you will see in the film, purity and morality are conveyed through every interaction that takes place. We see that there is no place for man's most primal urges "the Id" within the town. Conformity is needed for Covington to function.
Throughout literature, the woods has represented the inner most cavities of man. That is the deep, unseen wants, thoughts, and desires. The "creatures" in the forbidden woods represent these repressed tendencies, which have been abandoned. Societies usually do abandon those who give in to their primal instincts. This primal nature of the Id may be why the "creatures" are portrayed as animal like. Adrian Brody's character dwells in the woods on various occasions, we see that his mental capacity prevents him from suppressing his primal desires, this is seen in numerous instances. When he escapes from his holding, his mother refers to him as an animal because the Id is all that guides him.
In the end there are no creatures, the whole idea was simply a hokes to promote conformity. Throughout our lives we are confronted with millions of symbols a day, from cereal boxes to body piercings. Each symbol sends a distinct message,which society assigns meaning to. In Covington, red is bad, we see these ominous woods and skinned goats and creature costumes, promoting a sense of fear. Society tells us to fear those who are different or those creatures dwelling in the woods.
If anyone has any comments on my thoughts, please respond.