A general theory of psychological literary criticism cintra whitehead ocala, florida, usa before we can talk about the application of george kellys psychology of personal constructs or any other personality theory to literary criticism, we must consider a general theory of psychological literary criticism. Psychoanalytic criticism in literature english summary. Acquaintance with these theories in the literary criticism is so significant that understanding it will be close to impossible unless one has good grasp of psychological theories. The emphasis is more on character and motivation than on form and structure. What is the fivefactor model of trait personality theory. First, cognitive psychologists, particularly those immersed in the behaviorist tradition and the experimental research paradigm, tend to focus on how people actually think versus how they could or should think under ideal conditions sternberg, 1986. A psychological approach to literary criticism by norman r. Pdf psychoanalytical theory in literary criticism debbie barry. Pdf an approach to psychological literary criticism by means of. Sigmund freud, provides the literary critic with a guide to discovering, revealing.
Introduction to literature critical literary theories purpose. Psychoanalytic criticism builds on freudian theories of psychology. Literary theories session 6 psychology of literature. It seems natural to think about literature in terms of dreams. It helps the readers understand the motivations of the writer as well as the characters. Jungian criticism, which is closely related to freudian theory because. Psychological criticism, they suggest, typically attempts to do at least one of the following. Literature and psychology in the context of the interaction of social sciences 51 on its readerswellek ve warren, 1983, p. As it is seen psychological analyses in a literary text is made based on the four main elements mentioned by abrams. Jul 05, 2011 psychological criticism delving into the mind slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Literature and psychology in the context of the interaction. The assumption of psychoanalytic critics is that a work of literature is correlated with its authors mental traits.
As all literary works are based on some kind of experience, and as all authors are human, we are necessarily caught up. Historical criticism seeks to interpret the work of literature through understanding the time and culture in which the work was written. Washington, it further stifles beloveds psychological development since she cannot proceed past the preoedipal stage. Psychoanalytic reading has been practiced since the early development of psychoanalysis itself, and has developed into a heterogeneous interpretive tradition.
Like dreams, literary works are fictions, inventions of the. Despite his claim, at least in his early work, that an objective text exists. While we dont have the room here to discuss all of freuds work, a general overview is necessary to explain psychoanalytic literary criticism. Psychological approach to literature by ahna baechle on prezi. Psychoanalytic theory used in english literature global journal of. The contribution of psychological theories in literary criticism article pdf available in procedia social and behavioral sciences 84. Psychoanalytic criticism the unconscious psychoanalytic criticism is a form of applied psychoanalysis, a science concerned with the interaction between conscious and unconscious processes and with the laws of mental functioning. The contribution of psychological theories in literary criticism core reader.
Freudian psychoanalysis literary theory and criticism. The contribution of psychological theories in literary criticism. Freudian psychoanalysis by nasrullah mambrol on april 16, 2016 21. Literary theory and schools of criticism introduction. Psychological criticism is a theory that is associated with literature texts which are concerned with the fictional expression of others, the state of mind of the characters, and the aims of the author. Pdf psychological literary criticism had its base in the psychoanalytical thoughts put forwarded by sigmund freud.
The psychology of the critic and psychological criticism philip. Psychoanalytic literary criticism is literary criticism or literary theory which, in method, concept, or form, is influenced by the tradition of psychoanalysis begun by sigmund freud. Preoedipal characteristics stay with the daughter as she grows, but she does seek to have a sense of individuality from her mother chodorow. After freud, some theories by neofreudians such as jung and adler also became a part. Jungian criticism attempts to explore the connection between literature and what carl jung a student of freud called the collective unconscious of the human race. Psychological approach to analyze literature awin language. Psychological and psychoanalytic criticism by jerry tulloch. This approach psychologically analyses the author of the work or a character in his work. Pdf the contribution of psychological theories in literary criticism. These different lenses allow critics to consider works of art based on certain assumptions within that school of theory.
Psychoanalytic theory is a branch of literary criticism which was built on the principles of psychoanalysis developed by sigmund freud 18561939. Literature, therefore, imitates not the world but rather the total dream of humankind. The psychologybased study of literature aims more at studying the. The highestlevel factors of a hierarchical taxonomy are. The goal of this technique is to understand the unconscious symbols and desires through interpretation of the more obvious content. When we discuss psychology and its place in a literary work, we are primarily studying the authors imagination. Perhaps the aristotle was first the design theory kartasys psychological or mental purification purification as a pseudoscientific link between literature and psychology has given and psychological follow any of the criticism is poured. Psychoanalytic criticism psychoanalytic criticism adopts the methods of reading employed by freud and later theorists to interpret texts. Use this resource to learn about literary criticism. The contribution of psychological theories in literary criticism core.
Psychological and psychoanalytic criticism pros of psychoanalytic theory cons of psychoanalytic theory criticism applied to short stories background info conclusion psychoanalysis of flight by doris lessing psychoanalysis of the lottery by shirley jackson works cited. Literary critical theory is a tool that helps you find meaning in stories, poems and plays. Rather than being art for arts sake, modern literature tends to be more exploratory and didactic. It attempts to describe what happens in the readers mind while interpreting a text and reflects that reading, like writing, is. Psychology of literature the ppy g ysychological study of the writer, as type and as individual psychology of the author the study of creative process h d f h l i l the study of psychological types and laws present within works of literature psychology of the characters literary study in its strictest sense.
As lois tyson points out, aspects of psychoanalysis have become so ingrained in our culture. It should not be confused with psychotherapy, which is concerned with treating mental. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Psychoanalytical criticism takes a look at all these psychological occurrences. Psychological criticism in literature is the psychological analysis of motivations of the author and his work. Oct 17, 2016 psychological criticism in literature refers to the way in which the work of a particular writer is analyzed through a psychological lens. Apr 16, 2016 home literary criticism freudian psychoanalysis. There are many different ways to interpret a novel or short story. A search for a more competent psychology indicated quite convincingly why so little had been accomplished toward formulating a psychological critical theory. Psychological criticism is an approach in analyzing literary texts through the use of psychological concepts especially the human desires and feelings that a person is unaware of. Archetypal criticism gets its impetus from psychologist carl jung, who postulated that humankind has a collective unconscious, a kind of universal psyche, which is manifested in dreams and myths and which harbors themes and images that we all inherit. Psychology of the author the study of creative process h d f h l i l the study of psychological types and laws present within works of literature psychology of the characters literary study in its strictest sense the study of the effects of literature upon its readers psychology of the literature and society audience. This criticism is based on the theory that authors physiological state is unconsciously reflected in different aspects of the work such as characters, symbols, setting, and language.
Looking into ones psyche, these unknown occurrences become clear as well as the motives behind them. Psychological theories of identity and literature analysis. Psychological literary criticism had its base in the psychoanalytical thoughts put forwarded by sigmund freud. Nov 18, 2016 home literary criticism psychological reader. Psychoanalytic criticism in literature when one attempts to find out the authorial intent in the text or trying to understand the character, one is, in one way or other, entering into the domain of psychology and such attempts to read literature have been done since the time of classical criticism. Psychological and social aspects of psychological criticism 1660 words 7 pages. It is known that the closet connection between literature and psychoanalysis has always been deployed by the academic field of literary criticism or literary theory.
Psychological criticism deals with a work of literature primarily as an expression, in fictional form, of the personality, state of mind, feelings, and desires of its author. Of all the critical approaches to literature, this has been one of the. Psychological theories of identity and literature homework help questions. Literary critics have traditionally performed psychological literary criticism by championing one particular psychological theory and applying it to all works of all authors. This approach takes as a fundamental tenet that literature exists not as an artifact upon a printed page but as a transaction between the physical text and the mind of a reader. Pdf psychoanalytical theory in literary criticism debbie. This type of literary criticism uses symbolism and other forms of analysis to get at the latent content. Two distinct fields literary interpretations and psychoanalysis closely associated can in no sense be regarded as part od one discipline other possibilites and limitations freudin approach defense incredibly farfetched as some psychoanalytic interpretations seem to many readers. Mar 19, 2020 one technique in psychoanalytic literary criticism is to treat a work of literature as though it is a dream. Links to literature and psychology literature and the human psyche does not need to prove the link. The psychological approach to literary criticism is very controversial and is easily abused. Psychoanalytical criticism in hamlet freebooksummary.
Formalistic approach this approach focuses on form, stressing symbols, images, and structure and. The psychological approach leads most directly to a substantial amplification of the meaning of a literary work. Pdf an approach to psychological literary criticism by. Psychoanalytical criticism in hamlet there is a whole lot that goes on inside our bodies and minds that most of us are unaware are even occurring. To make the dreamstory from which wonderland was elaborated seem freudian one only has to tell it. Approaches to literary criticism literary criticism is the study, analysis, and evaluation of imaginative literature. Modern psychoanalytic theory, based largely on the work of dr.