Psychoanalytical Approach
to Analyzing Literature
a.k.a. “Finding Sigmund Freud
Wherever you Look”
Interpretation of Dreams: 1900
 In the following pages, I shall demonstrate that
there is a psychological technique which
makes it possible to interpret dreams, and
that on the application of this technique, every
dream will reveal itself as a psychological
structure, full of significance, and one which
may be assigned to a specific place in the
psychic activities of the waking state. Further,
I shall endeavour to elucidate the processes
which underlie the strangeness and obscurity
of dreams, and to deduce from these processes
the nature of the psychic forces whose
conflict or co-operation is responsible for
our dreams.
Dreams = Wish Fulfillment
Dreams are a function of the brain
intended to solve problems the waking
brain cannot handle
Strange, unexplainable features of dreams
are symbolic, and hold meanings that can
be traced through patterns of the mind
Dream Work = the conscious mind’s
“translation” of the raw dream material
Freud Divided the Brain into 3
ID – original state of mind – uninhibited by
boundaries, rules, or responsibilities. The
subconscious part of the brain focused on
Impulses: Pleasure, aggression, instinct
SUPEREGO – the mature version of the
self, imposes limitations from external
sources on the ID: shaped by societal
rules which checks the ID

EGO – “I” in Latin – the “self” – limited by
separation of self from others. Negotiates
between the desires of the ID and the
demands of the SUPEREGO. Basically
balances our impulses within our social
settings and rules.
Repression
The key to psychoanalysis is to release
hidden fears, anxieties, impulses that are
hidden. Despite denial, they do not go away.
Ex: A son who cannot please a parent will
double efforts to appear perfect or A woman
who feels unable to control social
expectations of beauty will seek to control her
beauty leading to anorexia, etc.
A behavior that comes from survival (repress
painful issues to deal) can wreak more havoc
on the person. Ironic isn’t it!
Individual and Society
 Characters may repress impulses known
to be socially unacceptable: Holden
Caulfield, Gulliver, Macbeth, Blanche
DuBois
Mirror stage
 At about six months, infants go through the
“mirror stage”
 This fascination with one’s own image (whether
literally in a mirror, or “reflected” in others) rules
our conscious lives
 We are in a continual search to define our
selves, to uphold our visions of our selves, and
to extend our selves into others’ reflections.
 This determines the “symbolic order,” in other
words, humans’ tendencies to see things
symbolically
So Why are We Studying this in
English Class?
 Symbols.
 Remember the Mirror Stage? We are hardwired to see the world in “Analogical” terms
(remember the Puritans?)
 Literature is filled with symbols and interpretable
meanings that help us understand the conflict of
the novel, and ultimately, of the outside world
(like symbols in dreams reveal the conflicts of
the conscious minds)
How to read between the lines
Understanding the core Freudian patterns
can provide additional insights into the
author or characters of a story.
Every detail counts (that’s from
Interpretation of Dreams)
“Organic Unity” of a text is when all of the
symbolic details are crafted to build into a
coherent interpretation
BASIC FREUDIAN SYMBOLS
Phallic Symbols (swords, missiles, trees,
tulips, guns, …)
Yanic Symbols (flowers, caves, cups…)
Escape Symbols (flight, birds, wings,
running…)
Security Symbols (beds, pillows, maternal
associations,…)
Fear Symbols (walls closing in, weapons,
jagged edges…)
Example
Ring around the Rosy
A pocket full of posey
Ashes, Ashes,
We all fall down
Historical
Interpretation:
Medieval
Plague
Freudian
Interpretation:
We fear, and
therefore destroy
the flowers within
ourselves
The end.