Psychoanalytical Filter

What is a critical or theoretical approach? Why would we use them? A critical or theoretical approach allows you, as a reader, to expand the way you look at a text. Instead of just reading a novel or poem, you can use a specific approach to get new information and expand on your analysis.

There are many of these "filters" that aid in this process. The one I want to talk about is Psychoanalytical. This specific "filter" is very fascinating. One of the main people that inspired this idea was Sigmund Fraud. He created his own "model of the psyche". It was mainly focused on a persons conscience. There was another person that also inspired and aided in psychoanalytical studies. His name was Jacques Lacan. He also had his own "model of the psyche". Whereas Fraud's was focused on a humans conscience, Lacan's was more focused on the development of a persons mind as they grow up. His model's three categories are imaginary, symbolic, and real. This can help us in studying literature.

There are many approaches within this one "filter'. One of the most fascinating for me is thinking about the writers psyche. I like the idea of stepping out of the text and looking at the background of why and how the writer went about writing their novel. This would allow you to see why specific detail, the setting of the poem, characters, and more were put in the text by the author.

Another approach within this "filter" is looking at the actual characters. The best question to ask is why. Why did the characters say this? Why would a character do that? Think of all the analyzes you could get from diving into a specific character. We are humans, but we are humans of many different natures. Thinking about being a different character, or human, is fascinating in and of itself. Thats one of the greatest things about literature. You get the opportunity to be a different person and think in the terms they do. This is perfect analysis.

Probably my favorite approach in this "filter", is thinking about the effect the text has on the reader. Why do we read? What makes a book your favorite book? Why do some people love one book or character, and hate others? Looking at your text this way allows an ocean full of analyzes to appear.

Lets look at The Great Gatsby. If we focus on F. Scott Fitzgerald, we know that he was a main staple in the twenties. He loved to party and have a good time which is very evident in the novel. Now what about the characters? Hows does Gatsby constant need to live in the past, or Daisy's want for money reflect their overall nature? How does this effect all the other characters in the novel? What makes this book one of my favorites? I know lots of people that did not enjoy this novel at all. But I also know a lot of people that it effected in a deep way. How does the text do this?

There is much to get from looking at a text through a psychoanalytical approach.

Hamlet as a Fantasy story. Act 3 Scene 4

"Now remember, you must be firm with him, Gertrude. We must find out why Hamlet has gone mad!"
"I know, Polonius. Now hide before he sees you!"
Polonius, rushed behind the drapes covering the windows, nearly knocking over the table of potions. The curtains were long enough to hide his whole body. They fell shut right as Hamlet crashed through the door.
"Mother, what do you want!" Hamlet yelled as the door slammed.
"Hamlet, you have offended your stepfather, and I.."
"I what? Mother, you have offended my real father for marrying such a sick man. Especially only after two months of him being dead! Who does something like that?" As Hamlet spoke, he slowly took out his wand from his cloak and started to shake.
Gertrude, started to worry. She couldn't die yet, not by the hand of her own son!
"Stop!" A voice from behind the curtain coughed.
"What do we have here? The evil wizard Claudius? The one who betrayed my father, the rightful leader of the wizard world!"
With that, Hamlet aimed his wand at the curtain. He stood upright and fired! Yelling the spell that would kill Claudius. Sparks crackled, and the spell flew straight from the wand, through the curtain, straight into Polonius' heart.
"You have done a bloody deed!" Gertrude yelled.
"Almost as bad as murdering a king, and marrying his brother."
"Murder? The King?"
"Of course!" Hamlet strode over to the curtain and pulled it back. There was Polonius, dead as ever on the ground. "This can't be. I thought I had him!" Still looking at the body he said, "He was a fool anyway. Mother, how could you marry someone so close to father, yet so below his rank! Its disgraceful. He's an awful thief. A stealing monster. A cheating dog! Its like he.."
Just then the air turned cold. Everything in the room turned blue and frozen. All except Hamlet. The ghost of his father appeared.
"Hamlet, I am powerful. You must remember your purpose and promise you made to me. Claudius still must die. You still have four stones to find to kill him. Your wand will not be strong enough. Just remember that you are a brave wizard!"
The ghost vanished.
"See Mother, I have a duty to father. He understands."
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn't you just see father speaking to me?"
"You truly have gone mad, Hamlet!"
"I am not mad mother. It is part of my plan and duty to father. I have to collect the five stones that hold the keys to the Master Potion. Once I have that, I can defeat Claudius. He is evil and must be stopped! Going mad, was all an act! Please, you can't tell Claudius. You have to help me bring him down."
Gertrude stared at her son. She was still shaking for fear that he would kill her. For this she agreed she wouldn't tell his secret.
"I am leaving now! I must keep looking for the stones." Hamlet turned on his toes and headed for the door when he remembered Polonius.
"Not today!" He rushed over, put an invisibility spell on the body, and picked it up. "Don't worry, I will dispose of this one!"