Psychoanalytic Criticism: Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalytic Criticism Sigmund Freud was an explorer of the human mind and the unconscious desires that are embedded in the brain. In his method of psychoanalysis, he explained human behavior. The most important aspects of psychoanalysis are the unconscious desires, the id, ego, super ego, and the Oedipus complex. Also included are the aspects of dreams, defenses, and the influence of childhood experiences. Freud also used his theory to treat psychological disorders. Psychoanalysis can be seen in literature if the reader can ask the right questions while analyzing. Psychoanalysis explains human behavior and development, and can be seen in different forms of literature. Consciousness is our awareness, while unconsciousness is our unawareness. The unconscious drives and desires are unexpressed memories, feelings, and wishes that are repressed in our minds. Unconscious drives are hidden “feelings, memories, and instinctual drives” which Freud believed had to do with “sexuality and

Displacement is a sexual or aggressive impulse that is directed toward a person, which in this case is Connie. The displacement begins sexual; he seems to want to be with her. As she continually turns him down, his displacement becomes aggressive. She asks him to leave multiple times, and he responds with “we ain’t leaving until you come with us” (Oates 308). He is asserting his dominance and he does not want anything to come in the way of his desire for her. His sexual desire turns violent and so does the way he talks to Connie. He threatens her to either come outside with them or he will come inside to get her. He says, “I mean, anybody can break through a screen door and glass and wood and iron or anything else if he needs t, anybody at all and special Arnold Friend” (Oates 309). He becomes very aggressive with her until she finally retreats and goes