Psychoanalytical theory is a school of criticism that began as a
psychological theory created by Sigmund Freud and his studies
on the human psyche. Identifying a similarity between
unconscious dreams and literary works, Freud applied his
techniques to literature by examining the author’s hidden
desires or repressed feelings.
H ow do w e do i t ?
Relate repressed feelings or wishes and emotionally significant
events in the story to the psychological state of the characters
or author.
Lens Luminary
On the next page, complete a diagnostic examination of a
character from a novel, story, or drama. Consider the
character’s conflicts, dreams, desires, insecurities, fears, etc.
lens
PSYCHOLOGICAL
What is Psychoanalytical Theory?
keywords
Jacques Lacan, Psychoanalysis, Psychoanalytical Theory, Sigmund Freud
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CHARACTER
Eval.
Character Name
Ms. Mallard
Romantic turmoil
Hidden feelings
Unrequited love
Secret desires and dreams
Emotional struggle
Internal conflict within their
thoughts and feelings
Repressed feelings
Conflict with another
character or situation
Other
Explain in detail the nature of the character’s mental state.
I think she was slowly going insane, she saw the kind, tender hands folded in
death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, That sounds like
something is cradling her, right before death.
Provide a recommendation for the character’s future behavior.
Listen to her sisters when she said "Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door—
you will make yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For heaven's sake open
the door." instead of not listening to her and going on a LSD trip, seeing kind
tender hands folded in death.