Critical Psychological Analysis of Literature

Psychological analysis of literary works evolved as modern psychology itself began

to take form during the early twentieth century. Although this type of critique
employs the concepts expressed by many noted sociologists, including Carl Jung,
Alfred Adler and Otto Rank, none have contributed as heavily to this field of
study as Sigmund Freud has. While many aspects of his theories have been
discounted by contemporary psychologists, the fundamental ideas he expressed have
withstood the test of time. Five of these, in particular, form the basis of the
psychological analysis of authors and the books they write.

The Primacy of the Unconscious

Freud believed that every individual has a conscious and an unconscious mind.
Moreover, he believed that it was the unconscious mind that plays the largest role
in shaping someone's personality. He maintained that the vast differences between
real and apparent motives are a result of this delineation between the two aspects
of the soul.

The Iceberg Theory of the Psyche

Freud believed that the psyche, or "soul", of an individual was shaped like an
iceberg. The small part that remained above the surface for all to see was the
ego, the individual's self image that he projected to the world. Below the
surface, much larger, the pleasure-principle, the id, remained away from public
view. Lining this iceberg was the superego, representing parental influences.
Between the conscious mind (the ego) and the unconscious mind (the id), at the
"waterline" of the iceberg, was a line separating the two parts of the individual.
Occasionally, the id would poke through that line, but, in most psychologically
well-adjusted people, this barrier was a strong one.

Dreams are an expression of our unconscious mind

One of Freud's best-known theories states that the conflict between the ego and
the id is continued while we sleep. He believed that these two aspects of our
psyche expressed themselves while we sleep, using a language of symbolism and
hidden meanings. He believed that id-driven dreams were outbursts of instinct and
repression and that realistic dreams were an example of our ego's iron control
over our soul even while we sleep.

Infantile behavior is essentially sexual

Freud believed that during an individual's formative years, he or she was entirely
governed by his developing id. This developing unconscious often takes sexual
and/or hostile mannerisms, as in the case of the Oedipus complex, in which a young
boy falls in love with his mother and is jealous of and hateful toward his father
for the attentions he receives from her. Freud also believed that any repression
or neurosis formed during this time period would later surface as damaging
outbursts in the mature adult.

The relationship between neurosis and creativity

Freud's last theory applies more to the author than the characters in his works.
Freud believed that those who create (artists, poets, etc.) are using their
creativity as a sort of therapy. He believed that an individual relieved his or
her own neurotic tension through their creative work. In addition, these
individuals give us insights into the nature of reality and the people who inhabit
it. Thus, psychoanalyzing a work of literature can give us great insight into the
unconscious of the author.

These five concepts can be employed in the study of characters and their actions
in a literary forum, as well as giving us insight into the nature of man in
general.

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