A Handbook of Critical Approaches to
Literature

I. Aims and Principles
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A. Abuses and misunderstandings of the psychological approach
The approach is abused when it is made an exclusive approach

B. Freud’s Theories
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Theory of the unconscious (id, ego, superego)
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Most of what we do is motivated by the unconscious, especially sexually (libido)
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Phallic and yonic symbols
Child development
Oedipus complex, fixation

C. Other Theories
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Inspired by Freud, Jacques Lacan developed his own version of the unconscious
Symbolic Order & Realm of the Father
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Realm of the Mother
Mirror Stage

II. Psychological Approach in Practice
A. Hamlet: the Oedipus Complex
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Theory of Ernest Jones, Norman N. Holland on
Hamlet’s misogyny and ambivalence toward father figures
B. Rebellion against the father in Huckleberry Finn
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Huck’s rejection of parental authority parallels his rejection of values of his society, especially racism, slavery, and religion; river as maternal symbol; Jim as androgynous; story of the child as victim (betrayal-of-innocence theme)

C. Prometheus Manqué: The Monster Unbound
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Novel’s subtitle points to Oedipal struggle, but revenge turns on Victor’s entire family
D. “Young Goodman Brown”: Id over Superego
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Theme of innocence betrayed; allegory, symbolism, ambiguity; town = superego,
Brown = ego, forest = id; obsession, taboos;
Brown is not a mature man

E. Sexual Imagery in “To His Coy Mistress”

From teasing wit to brutal assault
F. Morality Principle Over Pleasure Principle in
“Everyday Use”
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Narrator = ego; Dee = id; Maggie = superego