Representation of Psychopathic Characteristics in Fiction : A Transitivity Analysis of the Protagonist’s External and Internal Dialogue in the TV-series You

Abstract: The series You (2018) challenges the traditional characteristics of a protagonist and introducesthe audience to a psychopathic protagonist with traits which are typically recognised in thetraditional villain. This study investigates the portrayal of the fictional character JoeGoldberg’s psychopathic characteristics by analysing the language used in his external andinternal dialogues. More specifically, drawing on the tools of transitivity analysis (Halliday1985), the study focuses on the process types and corresponding semantic roles assigned tothe pronouns I and you used by the protagonist over the course of three strategically selectedepisodes of the series. The results of the qualitative and quantitative transitivity analysis ofinternal and external dialogues throughout three chosen episodes shows that in the internaldialogues Joe appears analytical and assigns attributes and actions to you which correspond tothe mental representation of the object of his desire, Beck. While Joe’s internal dialoguesascribe some appealing attributes to Beck, the transitivity analysis also shows that he identifiestraits of vulnerability, such as lack of confidence and being indolent in reaching her goals. Incontrast, Joe’s approach in the external dialogues continuously appears to project him as ahumble person who puts the needs of others before his own, expressing deep considerationand understanding of the needs and emotions of others. The audience is introduced to hismanipulative behaviour by this contrast between his external and internal dialogues, which ishighlighted by the transitivity analysis in the present study.