Important critical concepts of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan with examples

 

Id

The Id is the instinctual part of the mind.

It operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of basic needs and desires.

It is impulsive, irrational, and not concerned with morality or reality.

Based on pleasure principle

 

Example: 1) Heathcliff in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.

 Heathcliff is driven by primal instincts and desires, often acting on impulse without considering societal norms or consequences. His intense passion and unrestrained behavior align with the characteristics of the id.

2)  A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams:

The character of Stanley Kowalski can be interpreted as driven by the Id. His primal instincts, aggression, and dominance in the relationships with other characters, particularly Blanche DuBois, showcase a character primarily motivated by immediate gratification of desires.

3)  The Lord of the Flies by William Golding:

The boys stranded on the island display a regression to primal instincts, reflecting the Id. As they descend into chaos and violence, their actions become increasingly impulsive and driven by the pursuit of immediate pleasure and power.

 

Ego:

The Ego is the rational and realistic part of the mind.

It develops to mediate between the demands of the Id and the constraints of the external world.

The Ego operates on the reality principle, reason and logic.

 

 

Example: 1) The character Jane Eyre in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.

 Jane exhibits a balanced sense of self-control, reality, and moral values. Her decisions are influenced by a rational understanding of the world, reflecting the ego's role in mediating between the id and superego.

2 )   Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

Elizabeth Bennet can be seen as an example of a character with a strong Ego. She internalises the social norms of her time, weighs the practical considerations in her relationships, and makes decisions based on reason and personal integrity.

 

Superego:

The Superego represents the moral and ethical aspect of the personality.

It internalizes societal rules, norms, and values learned from parents and others.

The Superego acts as a conscience, imposing moral standards and ideals on the individual.

It strives for perfection and can lead to feelings of guilt or shame when an individual does not meet its moral standards.

Examples :

1)      Les Misérables by Victor Hugo:

Jean Valjean, the protagonist, undergoes a transformation from a hardened criminal to an altruistic and compassionate individual. His actions, particularly his commitment to helping others and living an honorable life, reflect a strong Superego.

2)  Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky:

Sonia Marmeladov, a character in the novel, is a deeply religious and compassionate woman who embodies Superego qualities. Her selfless acts of kindness and her commitment to Christian principles serve as a moral contrast to the protagonist, Raskolnikov.

3) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:

Atticus Finch, as mentioned earlier in the context of the Ego, also embodies Superego qualities. His commitment to justice, moral integrity, and the belief in the inherent goodness of people reflects a strong ethical foundation.

 

 

The Oedipus complex, a central concept in Freudian psychoanalysis, involves a child's unconscious feelings of desire for their opposite-sex parent and rivalry with their same-sex parent. This complex is named after the Greek myth of Oedipus, who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.

 

1. Hamlet by William Shakespeare:

 Hamlet's complex relationship with his mother, Gertrude, reflects Oedipal themes. His intense reactions to her marriage to his uncle, Claudius, and his ambiguous feelings toward her suggest elements of the Oedipus complex.

 

2. Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence:

 The novel revolves around the protagonist, Paul Morel, and his intense relationship with his mother, Gertrude. Paul's struggles with intimacy and forming romantic attachments are seen as manifestations of the Oedipus complex.

 

 

 

Lacan's mirror stage is a pivotal concept in his psychoanalytic theory, exploring the development of self-identity through the recognition of one's own image in a mirror.

Examples:

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley:

  Mirror Aspect: The creature created by Victor Frankenstein grapples with its own reflection in water, expressing confusion and horror at its appearance.

The creature's reaction to its reflection symbolizes its struggle with identity and societal rejection, reflecting the broader theme of self-perception and society's role in shaping identity.

 

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde:

   Mirror Aspect: Dorian Gray, the protagonist, gazes at his portrait, which ages while he remains youthful. The portrait serves as a mirror reflecting the consequences of his hedonistic lifestyle.

  Dorian's engagement with the portrait mirrors Lacan's concept, illustrating the tension between external appearance and internal reality, as well as the impact of self-perception on one's actions.

 

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:

   Mirror Aspect: Jane Eyre frequently looks at herself in a mirror, examining her appearance and contemplating her identity.

  Jane's reflections in the mirror represent her evolving self-awareness and the search for her true identity. The mirror becomes a symbolic tool for self-discovery and understanding.

4. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka:

  Mirror Aspect: Gregor Samsa wakes up one day transformed into a giant insect and struggles to recognize himself in a mirror.

The distorted reflection highlights the alienation and estrangement Gregor experiences. The mirror stage is manifest in his inability to reconcile his changed physical form with his pre-existing self-image.

 

These literary examples showcase how the mirror stage is employed in literature to delve into characters' self-perception, identity formation, and the complexities of understanding internal and external realities.

 

 

 

1. Imaginary:

   Definition: The Imaginary is the realm of images, illusions, and identifications. In this stage, the individual constructs a self-image often influenced by external perceptions.

   Example - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Gatsby's self-image is driven by his longing for Daisy Buchanan and his desire to be part of the upper class. The Imaginary, in this context, reflects the illusions individuals create to fulfill their desires and gain social acceptance.

 

2. Symbolic:

The Symbolic is the realm of language, culture, and societal norms. It involves the use of symbols, words, and systems to convey meaning and establish social order.

  Example 1984 by George Orwell

  Newspeak and Thoughtcrime: In the oppressive society of Oceania, the government controls language through Newspeak and punishes rebellious thoughts (Thoughtcrime).

Orwell's depiction of a society dominated by symbolic control illustrates Lacan's Symbolic stage. Language becomes a tool for manipulating perceptions and maintaining authority.

 

3. Real:

The Real is an unmediated, unattainable aspect of existence that resists full representation. It is associated with trauma, the unspeakable, and the limits of language.

  Example  - Beloved by Toni Morrison:

  Haunted Past: Sethe, the protagonist, is haunted by the trauma of slavery, particularly by the ghost of her deceased daughter.

The Real is evident in the unresolved traumas and unspeakable horrors of Sethe's past, which resist easy representation. Morrison explores the impact of the Real on personal and collective memory.

Lacan's concepts of "Lack" and "Desire" are integral to his psychoanalytic theory. Lack refers to an inherent incompleteness or a sense of something missing, while Desire is the continuous quest to fill that lack. Here are examples from literature illustrating these Lacanian concepts:

 

1. Lack:

Lack, in Lacanian terms, signifies an innate incompleteness or a gap in one's being. It's a fundamental sense of inadequacy that drives individuals to seek fulfillment.

 Example - The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Holden Caulfield's Alienation: Holden feels a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction and alienation, particularly after the death of his brother Allie.

Holden's lack is rooted in the loss of his brother and a broader disillusionment with the adult world. His journey throughout the novel is an attempt to cope with and understand this inherent emptiness.

 

2. Desire:

Desire, in Lacanian theory, is the continuous striving to fill the lack. It's the pursuit of objects, relationships, or goals that are believed to bring satisfaction and completeness.

Example - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Gatsby's Desire for Daisy: Jay Gatsby's intense desire is centered around rebuilding his romantic relationship with Daisy Buchanan.

 

3. Lack and Desire Interplay:

"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky:

Raskolnikov's Moral Dilemma: he  grapples with a sense of lack in his life, both financially and morally. His desire for significance leads him to commit a heinous crime.

The interplay between lack and desire is evident as Raskolnikov's actions are an attempt to fill the void he perceives in his existence. However, the consequences of his actions intensify the internal struggle.

Example - Wuthering Heights

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