Citation :

Dr. Prathibha P, 2025. "Guilt as the Operating Force in Fleabag: Delving into the Psyche of the Protagonist in BBC Dark Comedy Series Fleabag" ESP-International Journal of English Literature and Linguistics Research (ESP- IJELLR)  Volume 3, Issue 4: 1-4.

Abstract :

Fleabag which is BBC’s tragicomedy television series adaptation of a one-woman act becomes a shattering heartbreak of a comedy, reminding the audience of the tricks and tactics of our own familiar defense mechanisms. In her societal interactions, the protagonist Fleabag, experiences the highs and lows of family dynamics, including moments of tense silence and sudden bursts of intense emotion born from the complex mix of love, dependency, anxiety and guilt. Psychological trauma and memory which is imagined as both an external agent that shocks the unprepared system and an internal action of defense against overstimulation plays an important role in shaping the individual identity of Fleabag. This article analyses how Fleabag is about coming to terms with loss, with anger, with one’s imperfections and limitations and the psyche’s constant wrestle with guilt.

References :

[1] Bhoker, Smrithi. “An ode to the brilliant Fleabag and the feminist guilt it explores." Feminism in India, 3 October 2019, https://feminisminindia.com/2019/10/03/brilliant-fleabag-feminist-guilt-explores/

[2] Bocock, Robert. Sigmund Freud. Routledge, 2002.

[3] Bullimore, Emma. "Seven reasons why feminist comedy Fleabag will be your latest TV addiction". Stylist, 19 July 2016, https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/tune-in-to-britains-answer-to-girls-fleabag-bbc3-7-reasons-lena-dunham-phoebe-waller-bridge-tv-netflix/65176

[4] Burgess , Sanya. “Fleabag review: Malignant guilt, sexual liberalism and laughs all the way.” Newssky, 26 August 2019, https://news.sky.com/story/fleabag-review-malignant-guilt-sexual-liberalism-and-laughs-all-the-way-11790262

[5] Chloe. “Fleabag: Guilt and Beautiful Grief.” The Slice, 1 September 2020, https://theslicemovie.wordpress.com/2020/09/01/fleabag-guilt-and-beautiful-grief/

[6] Lampen, Claire and Amanda Arnold. “Burning Questions: Obama Also Loves Fleabag”.The Cut. 5 Jan 2020,https://www.thecut.com/2020/01/barack-obama-names-fleabag-in-best-television-shows-of-2019.html

[7] Mambrol, Nasrullah. “Sigmund Freud and the Trauma Theory.” Literariness.org, 21 June 2017,https://literariness.org/2017/06/21/sigmund-freud-and-the-trauma-theory/

[8] Mambrol, Nasrullah. “Trauma Studies.” Literariness.org. 19 December 2018, https://literariness.org/2018/12/19/trauma-studies/

[9] Mcnamara, Mary. “Phoebe Waller-Bridge created “Fleabag” and stars as its likeable mess of a lead.” Hindustan Times, 15 September 2016, https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/phoebe-waller-bridge-is-writing-a-book-based-on-tv-show-fleabag/story- 1ppDYBd8lnY89kI1T0bh3M.html

[10] Meyers, Seth. “Phoebe Waller-Bridge Compares the London Tube to the NYC Subway”, Late Night with Seth Meyers , You Tube , 2 October 2019, https://youtu.be/9eczhuqEJgM

[11] Nussbaum, Emily. "Fleabag, an Original Bad-Girl Comedy". The New Yorker. 25 September 2016, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/09/26/fleabag-an-original-bad-girl-comedy

[12] Pollard, Alexandra. “Farewell, Fleabag: The show's 'greedy, perverted, selfish' protagonist let go of her guilt – now we have to let her go.” Independent, 9 April 2019, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/fleabag-series-two-final-episode-phoebe-waller-bridge-andrew-scott-priest-guilt-confession-sian-clifford-claire-a8860101.html

[13] P.Prathibha, ““I am the girl that things happen to”: The UnapologeticallyArticulate Modern Heroine in Fleabag”. Recherche: A Digest of Multidisciplinary Explorations. Insight Publica, 2022, pp 12-22.

[14] Robin . “On Honesty, Guilt and Sisterhood : Fleabag.” TBA Journal , http://tbajournal.com/?p=9802

[15] Slade, Andrew. Psychoanalytic Theory and Criticism: By Way an Introduction to the Writings of Sigmund Freud. Orient Blackswan, 2016.

[16] Steinberg, Peter K. and Karen V. Kukil, eds .The Letters of Sylvia Plath Volume 1: 1940-1956 . Harper, 2017. Print.

[17] Waller-Bridge, Phoebe, creator. Fleabag: Series One. Two Brothers Pictures Limited, 2016.

[18] Waller-Bridge, Phoebe, creator. Fleabag: Series Two. Two Brothers Pictures Limited, 2019.

[19] Waller-Bridge, Phoebe. Fleabag: The Scriptures Hardcover. Ballantine, 2019.

[20] Waller-Bridge, Phoebe. Fleabag: The Special Edition (The Original Play) Paperback – Special Edition , Nick Hern Books, 2019.

[21] Wilson, Benji. "Fleabag, Episode 4 review: another superb, poignant episode that was both shocking and shockingly good". The Daily Telegraph. 25 March 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2019/03/25/fleabag-episode-4-review-another-superb-poignant-episode-shocking/

Keywords :

Guilt; Trauma; Repression; Dysfunction; Black Humour.