Final answer:
In Eugene O'Neill's play The Emperor Jones, the Freudian concept of Brutus Jones' subconscious mind is significant, showcasing how repressed memories and the conflict between the Id's desires and the Superego's societal pressures play out in his psychological descent. The correct answer is option B.
Step-by-step explanation:
To better understand Eugene O'Neill's play The Emperor Jones, the Freudian concept that applies is Brutus Jones' subconscious mind portrayed in theatrical form. Throughout the play, Jones' descent into a panic-stricken state can be seen as a dramatization of his inner psychological turmoil and the emergence of repressed fears and instincts from his subconscious.
This dramatization resonates deeply with Freud's assertion that most of our thoughts and feelings are buried in the unconscious mind, with repressed memories triggering emotional responses, a concept central to Freud's theory of psychoanalysis.
Additionally, Jones' journey through the forest, wherein he confronts various apparitions and ghosts from his past, aligns with Freud's exploration of the Id and its drives, including the Pleasure Principle and the Death Drive. Here, Jones' past actions driven by greed and a lust for power can be connected to the Id's impulse for pleasure and self-destruction.
Lastly, the societal pressures and moral consequences that confront Jones hint at the strife between the Id and the Superego, the latter representing the social and ethical constraints imposed on the individual.