Group-16.-Psychological-Approach

P2 CRITICAL APPROACHES: PSYCHOLOGICAL

Overview

  • One of the most productive forms of literary inquiry in the twentieth century.

  • Developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).

  • Psychological criticism has introduced new ideas about:

    • The nature of the creative process

    • The mind of the artist

    • The motivation behind characters.

Psychological Criticism Defined

  • A critical approach that uses psychological theories to examine literary works.

  • Aims to understand both the author’s mind and the characters, themes, and elements of the text.

  • Also known as Psychoanalytical Criticism.

Focus of Psychological Criticism

  • Analyzes psychological aspects of characters, including:

    • Motivations

    • Behaviors

    • The impact of experiences on narrative.

  • Continues to evolve and adapt, offering insights into the human psyche.

Sigmund Freud's Contributions

  • An Austrian neurologist (1856-1939).

  • Developed the "talking cure" to treat mental illness, which involves vocalizing subconscious motivations.

    • This technique aims to release repressed emotions, heal psychological wounds, and help in recovery.

Contemporary Applications of Psychological Criticism

Intersectionality

  • Explores how multiple identities (race, gender, sexuality) intersect, shaping characters' psychological makeup and experiences.

Postcolonial Psychological Criticism

  • Examines colonialism’s impact on psychological development, providing a lens for understanding complexities in postcolonial societies.

Cognitive Literary Studies

  • Applies cognitive psychology to literary analysis.

  • Studies how readers process and interpret literary works.

    • Seeks to understand the interaction between readers' cognitive processes and the psychological dimensions of literature.

Contemporary Examples of Psychological Criticism in World Literature

Toni Morrison's "Beloved"

  • Explores the psychological impact of slavery on characters.

  • Examines themes of trauma, memory, and identity.

  • Set post-American Civil War; follows a dysfunctional family of formerly enslaved people haunted by a malevolent spirit.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Americanah"

  • Examines the psychological impact of race, gender, and identity.

  • Follows a Nigerian woman's immigration to the U.S. to attend university and her experiences in both countries.

  • Highlights the complexities of contemporary society through personal narratives.