Psychoanalysis of literature

Psychoanalysis of literature

In general, psychoanalysis in not a literary practice. It is a clinical therapeutic methodology. But in the course of time; psychoanalysis has become a standard frame for understanding literature. It has helped the literary analyst to evaluate the text and present their views. Psychoanalysis of literature deals with the author, readers and the text itself, thus, its scope is huge.

Authors play an important role in creating a text. He is overall responsible for each and every events and activities that happens. But we must be clear in psychoanalysis in literature that the author is not the sole creator of the text. Human beings from their birth struggle with the environment he/she is living in. In this process many unfulfilled desires are repressed in their mind and forms unconscious stage of mind. So, in the writing process the author unknowingly or unconsciously fulfills his longing from the text he/she creates.

The text is meant for the readers. Before readers read the text it is in passive form. As readers start reading it then it becomes active. The readers do not passively consume the text. While going through the written word, the readers start dealing with their own unconscious mind. They try to fulfill their desires through it. And if they are successful in it, they get full satisfaction otherwise; they do not consider it as a good one.

Not only authors and readers but the elements such as characters are also included in the periphery of psychoanalysis. They have different roles and they share different attitudes. No single person is same as another. As we know that literature is the reflection of society thus, we can analyze character as a psychological being.

Psychoanalysis of literature is important because it provide clear picture of mental status of human beings in the society. But there are limitations which are ought not to be broken otherwise, the aesthetic pleasure we receive from literature would collapse.