Literary Theories - an overview
Freudian literary theory
Feminist literary theory
Marxist Literary Theory
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Freudian literary theory
Freudian literary theory, also known as psychoanalytic literary theory, is a method of literary
interpretation that uses the insights of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories to analyse
literature. The main elements of this theory include:
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The unconscious mind: Freud believed that our thoughts, feelings, and desires are
not always conscious and that much of our behaviour is motivated by unconscious
desires and conflicts.
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The Oedipus complex: This is a central concept in Freud's theory that suggests that
children experience unconscious sexual desires for their opposite-sex parent and see
their same-sex parent as a rival.
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Symbolism: Freud believed that many literary works use symbolism to express
unconscious desires and conflicts. Symbols can represent repressed thoughts or
emotions.
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Character analysis: Freudian literary theory often involves analysing characters in
literature in terms of their unconscious desires and conflicts. For example, a
character's actions may be motivated by repressed childhood traumas.
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Dreams: Freud believed that dreams are the "royal highway to the unconscious" and
that they can reveal unconscious desires and conflicts.
In Freudian psychoanalytic literary theory, the concepts of Id, Ego, and Super-Ego play a
significant role in understanding the psychological motivations and conflicts of literary
characters.
The Id represents the unconscious and instinctual part of the psyche, which is driven by
pleasure-seeking impulses and desires. In literary analysis, the Id may be seen as the
source of a character's most primal and base impulses, such as sexual desire or aggression.
The Ego represents the rational and conscious part of the psyche, which mediates between
the Id and the external world. It seeks to satisfy the desires of the Id in ways that are socially
acceptable and realistic. In literary analysis, the Ego may be seen as the part of a character
that tries to balance their desires with the demands of society and their own conscience.
The Super-Ego represents the internalized moral and ethical standards of society and
culture. It serves to regulate and control the impulses of the Id according to social and ethical
norms. In literary analysis, the Super-Ego may be seen as the source of a character's guilt
and sense of obligation to behave in a certain way.
According to Freudian psychoanalytic literary theory, the interactions between the Id, Ego,
and Super-Ego shape a character's behavior and personality, and can create internal
conflicts that drive the plot of a literary work. By analyzing the interplay between these three
elements in a character's psyche, literary critics can gain insight into the underlying
psychological motivations and conflicts that drive the actions of literary characters.
Overall, Freudian literary theory suggests that literature can be analyzed in terms of its
psychological meaning, and that literary works can reveal much about the human psyche.
Using this theory, one might ask:
To what extent is Othello’s downfall a transition from the influence of the super-ego to
the Id?
To what extent are characters who are driven by the Id’s pleasure principle punished
in Othello?
To what extent does Iago make appeals to the super-ego of others to manipulate
them?
Feminist literary theory
Feminist literary theory is a critical approach that seeks to understand and challenge the
ways in which gender shapes the production and reception of literature. It explores how
gender, sex, and sexuality affect the creation, interpretation, and dissemination of literary
texts. The main elements of feminist literary theory include examining the representation of
gender roles and stereotypes in literature, analyzing how women's voices and experiences
have been excluded or marginalized in literary history, and exploring how power relations
between genders are reflected in literature. Feminist literary theory also seeks to identify and
critique patriarchal assumptions and biases in literary analysis and to promote a more
inclusive and diverse literary canon.
What are the main aspects feminist literary theory to explore when looking at texts?
Feminist literary theory explores a wide range of aspects when looking at texts. Some of the
main aspects include:
1. Gender representation: Feminist literary theory examines how gender roles and
stereotypes are represented in literature, and how these representations contribute to
the perpetuation of gender inequalities.
2. Women's experiences: Feminist literary theory pays close attention to the
experiences of women as portrayed in literature, and how these experiences are
shaped by factors such as race, class, and sexuality.
3. Patriarchal biases: Feminist literary theory critiques the patriarchal biases and
assumptions that have historically dominated literary criticism, and aims to promote
more inclusive and diverse perspectives.
4. Language and symbolism: Feminist literary theory analyzes the use of language and
symbolism in literature, and how these devices can be used to challenge or reinforce
gendered power dynamics.
5. Historical context: Feminist literary theory situates literary texts within their historical
and cultural contexts, examining how societal attitudes towards gender have
influenced the production and reception of literature over time.
Overall, feminist literary theory aims to understand how gender shapes the way we read,
write, and interpret literature, and to use this understanding to promote greater equality and
inclusivity in literary discourse.
How does feminist literary theory explore the perpetuation of sexist stereotypes?
Feminist literary theory explores the perpetuation of sexist stereotypes by examining how
gender and power operate in literature. Feminist literary theorists argue that many literary
works reinforce and perpetuate sexist stereotypes by portraying women in limited,
stereotypical roles, and by devaluing women's experiences and perspectives.
One way that feminist literary theorists explore the perpetuation of sexist stereotypes is by
analyzing the representations of gender in literary works. They examine how male and
female characters are portrayed and how their roles and behaviors reinforce traditional
gender roles and expectations. They also look at how female characters are often objectified
and how their bodies are described in ways that perpetuate patriarchal norms.
Another approach taken by feminist literary theorists is to examine the language and
narrative structures used in literary works. They look at how language is gendered and how
it reinforces sexist stereotypes, such as the use of masculine pronouns to refer to both men
and women. They also examine the ways in which narrative structures often privilege male
perspectives and experiences, while devaluing those of women.
Overall, feminist literary theory aims to uncover and challenge the ways in which literature
perpetuates sexist stereotypes and to promote more equitable and diverse representations
of gender in literature.
Marxist Literary Theory
Marxist literary theory is a critical approach to analyzing literature through the lens of Marxist
ideology. At its core, Marxist literary theory argues that literature reflects the social and
economic conditions of the time in which it was written and that literature can be used to
analyze and critique those conditions.
The key elements of Marxist literary theory include:
Historical Materialism: The belief that history is shaped by the economic and material
conditions of society, and that literature is a product of those conditions
Class Struggle: The idea that society is divided into classes with conflicting interests, and
that literature can reflect and reinforce those conflicts.
Alienation: The feeling of being disconnected from one's own humanity or from others, often
caused by capitalist economic structures.
Ideology: The set of beliefs and values that shape an individual's understanding of the world,
often used to justify and maintain social inequality.
When analyzing a text using Marxist literary theory, scholars would focus on how the text
reflects the economic and social conditions of the time it was written, and how it might
reinforce or critique those conditions. They would also examine the class dynamics at play in
the text, looking for ways in which characters are divided by social status, and how those
divisions reflect broader class struggles in society. Additionally, they would analyze the ways
in which the text represents issues of power and oppression, and how it might challenge or
reinforce dominant ideologies.
What are the different classes and the conflicts between them, according to Mrxist literary
theory?
Marxist literary theory posits that society is divided into classes, each with its own set of
economic and social interests, and that these classes are in conflict with one another. The
primary classes identified in Marxist theory are the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. There is
also a third class - the aristocracy.
The bourgeoisie are the owners of the means of production, such as factories and land.
They are the ruling class in capitalist societies, and their power comes from their control of
wealth and resources. The bourgeoisie also control the dominant cultural institutions, such
as the media and education system, which they use to promote their ideology and maintain
their power.
The proletariat, on the other hand, are the working class who sell their labour to the
bourgeoisie in exchange for wages. They have no control over the means of production and
are therefore subject to the economic and social conditions imposed upon them by the ruling
class. The proletariat are often exploited by the bourgeoisie, who seek to extract as much
labour as possible for the lowest possible cost.
According to Marxist theory, the conflicts between these two classes are inherent in capitalist
societies. The bourgeoisie seek to maintain their power and wealth, while the proletariat
seek to improve their working conditions and increase their share of the wealth generated by
their labour. These conflicts can be seen in literature through the representation of class
struggles, as well as the portrayal of characters from different classes and the ways in which
their interests and desires come into conflict.
In Marxist literary theory, the analysis of class conflict in literature is used to understand how
texts reflect and critique the social and economic conditions of their time. It is also used to
understand how literature can be used to promote social change by challenging dominant
ideologies and promoting the interests of the working class.
How does the concept of aristocracy apply to marxist theory?
In Marxist theory, the concept of aristocracy refers to a privileged social class that has
historically held power and wealth through inherited titles, land ownership, and other forms of
privilege. This class is seen as being distinct from the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, as
their power is not primarily based on control of the means of production but rather on their
social status and historical privileges.
Marxist theory views the aristocracy as being a part of the ruling class, in that they hold
significant social and economic power, but they are seen as distinct from the bourgeoisie in
terms of their source of power. While the bourgeoisie derive their power from their control of
the means of production, the aristocracy have traditionally derived their power from their land
ownership, inherited titles, and other forms of privilege.
Marxist theory also views the aristocracy as being in conflict with the proletariat, as both
classes have historically been oppressed by the ruling class. However, the aristocracy's
historical privileges and social status often put them at odds with the working class, who are
struggling for greater economic and social equality.
In analyzing literature from a Marxist perspective, the concept of aristocracy can be used to
understand how certain texts reflect and critique social hierarchies and the concentration of
power in the hands of a few. It can also be used to analyze the portrayal of characters from
different social classes and the ways in which their interests and desires come into conflict.