Freudian Interpretation in Literature

American International Journal of Social Science Research

The purpose of this review article is to identify theories of Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud that play major roles in interpreting literary works. Psychoanalysis is among one of the modern theories used in literary analysis. Whether psychoanalysis has close connection with literature or not has been most controversial issues for many readers and least appreciated. In spite of being one of famous approach for interpreting literary text, it has become one of the mechanisms for interpreting hidden meaning of the text. The finding of this paper revealed Psychoanalysis is not simply branch of medicine, it has helped and is used to understand various fields as philosophy, culture, religion and first and for most used in literature. It also revealed that there is similarities and controversial issues between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud’s theories of psychoanalytical criticism. Id, which is part of human personality playing a major role in forming literary work for its repressed behaviors,...

isara solutions, 2019

During the last two centuries, literature has been filled with newer innovative theories of analysis and criticism. In fact, these theories enable us to examine through newer ways of interpretation and evaluation a work of art for tracing deeper hidden otherwise unthought-of meanings. Among these newer methods, we have psychoanalysis as one of the significant theories of evaluation and interrogation. While commenting on the development of the theory of psychoanalysis, we can't ignore especially the main contribution made initially by Sigmund Freud and later Jacques Lacan with whom this school is specially associated. This school of psychoanalysis as a psychological theory was developed in the late 19 th and the 20 th centuries by these two well-known sound psychologists. However, the credit of establishing psychoanalysis as a full-fledged school primarily goes to Sigmund Freud and Lacan later simply modified and reoriented what Freud devised and developed during his entire career. This paper will put forward some reflections on psychoanalysis with special reference to these two psychoanalysts-Sigmund Freud & Jacques Lacanand thus this humble endeavour will enable us to know how this school of analysis works in literature as a theory.

Comparative Drama, 1973

2013

From the critic’s analysis of the author to the text’s analysis of the critic and from thepsychoanalysis of literature to the literature of psychoanalysis, what this paper seeks to offer is a dynamic perspective on the ways in which psychoanalytic criticism expanded and developed novel ways of approaching the literary text. It looks to show how the psychoanalytic reading of literary texts has been perpetually repositioning and reconsidering itself, how the roles between the object and the subject of analysis have been reversed and how the function of interpretation has shifted from a tool of diagnosis to a complex relation between text and interpreter. The main changes in the field are explored in light of three key themes: the perspective on the unconscious in literary study, the roles of the instances involved in the analytical/critical praxis and the relation between literature and psychoanalysis. After reviewing the previous models of critical analysis and their shortcomings, the focus is then turned towards some of the newer developments in the field. The examples from various types of critical readings serve to illustrate, not only the openness of this interdisciplinary approach, but also the plurality which characterizes it.

The Example of Charles Mauron, 1984

Having discussed two of the basic approaches to literary understanding, the traditional and the formalistic, we now examine a third interpretive perspective, the psychological. Of all the critical approaches to literature, this has been one of the most controversial, the most abused, and-for many readers-the least appreciated. Yet, for all the difficulties involved in its proper application to interpretive analysis, the psychological approach can be fascinating and rewarding. Our purpose in this chapter is threefold: (1) to account briefly for the misunderstanding of psychological criticism; (2) to outline the psychological theory most commonly used as an interpretive tool by modern critics; and (3) to show by examples how readers may apply this mode of interpretation to enhance their understanding and appreciation of literature.

Social Sciences Studies Journal, 2019

Literary theories help literary works to be understood better and interpreted in a healthy way despite the differences in receiving the works. To this end, their practitioners apply their own unique methods for a particular purpose. A literary critic can discuss some elements in a single work, such as themes, characters, historical background, social and personal connections or implications. Literary criticism, while reading a literary work, is to go beyond the work and interpret it. To put it in a nutshell, critical theories are used as methods of interpretation. Within each piece of literature, there are clues to guide the reader to a deeper understanding of the work, of the author and even the inner workings of the individual reader. Through the critical theories, readers may have a chance to go deeper and change their primal perspective of the work. In this study, two critical theories, psychoanalytic criticism, theorized by Sigmund Freud and archetypal criticism by Carl Gustav Jung, one of Freud's disciples, will be compared to show the differences as well as similarities.

Freud and his Discontents; an aetiology of psychoanalysis, 2021

The book, ‘Freud and his Discontents; an aetiology of psychoanalysis’ (ISBN 978-87-4303-717-0) is published, available in Denmark and Germany, and will be promoted in Britain, America, and Canada. A synopsis of the book is contained in the pdf along with text samples from the book. The book runs from the records of the Freud family in Pribor, the Jewish Enlightenment from a center not too far of in Tysmenitz which, influenced Freud’s parents and his early years. His first three years were actually spent with a Catholic nanny which left him relatively positive to the Catholic faith but his family's beliefs in Judaism were strongly rejected. This, plus his reports of some sexualization in Freud records, leaves him with early sexual attachments to his mother and anger against his father - his response to his family was therefore rooted in Oedipal dynamics. Sexual theories of the time, including Havelock Ellis, von Krafft-Ebbing, and Albert Moll also play a part in his theory of libido. He also seems to hold to such templates where two mothers are present and with birth confusion, he records two possible fathers. Freud’s Oedipal theory established at age three, occur simultaneously when Freud significantly lost his nanny and returned to his mother. These factors become evident in his works up to and including his last work, Moses and Monotheism. A significant amount of Freud’s works are discussed including, the psychosexual stages, Leonardo da Vinci, Totem and taboo, and the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. In this last section, there are brief entries describing the main ideas of those who met with Freud in Vienna on Wednesdays. These are the ‘discontents’ where despite stormy meetings, some remained as Freudians, and some, like CG Jung and Alfred Adler, go their own way. We then have a ‘diaspora’ of psychologists which, gives rise to the modern world of psychology and its disciplines as we find it.