The Rivethead uses many defensive styles throughout their life. From denial to reaction formation, a great deal of defensive styles that Ben Hamper uses can be found. This paper will take you through a several of these defenses that he uses and then will attempt to explain why he uses them. The focus will be mainly on his psychotic and immature defenses.

Right off the bat, the first thing that can be seen is the way the Rivethead uses distortion. Ben Hamper believed ever since he was a little boy that he was going to work in the factory, just like his father. He believed that it was his birthright. This was, in fact, not the case. What Hamper would say is that it was his father's fault that he had to work in a factory the rest of his life. Again, this is not the case.

Hamper had the ability to do a great deal more with his life. He was a good writer but he never tried to get any better at writing. Hamper was using distortion at this point. It is my fathers fault that I am working in this factory is what Hamper would say. I think anyone else would say that it is his own fault that he was working in the factory because he never set goals for himse

The next defense that the Rivethead uses is denial. This defense is evident throughout the book. The Rivethead cannot accept his own talent. Hamper discovers that he can write poetry pretty well. He even composes his own collection of poems called “Intestines of a Balloon.” He then goes on to say that “I was even beginning to think that I might defy my shop rat heritage after all.” (Hamper, 18) At this point Hamper realizes that he has talent but then he decides to use his talent for the wrong reasons.

Ben Hamper realizes that his poetry is a great way of winning girls over. He says “I did discover that the poetry, as awkward and schmaltzy as it was, drew great favor from the girls of my sophomore class.” (Hamper, 20) Hamper started writing poetry to get girls rather than writing it because he enjoyed it or writing it because he might have been able to make a career out of it.

Some topics in this essay:
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