The document discusses the themes of the Electra and Oedipus complexes in 'Mourning Becomes Electra,' analyzing the characters' psychological conflicts and their tragic implications. It explores the parallels between the play and Greek tragedies, focusing on family dynamics and emotional turmoil rooted in psychoanalytic theory. The analysis concludes with the fate of the characters, emphasizing themes of murder, suicide, and entrapment within their home.

1. Name:- Hitaxi H Bhatt.
Roll No:- 03.
Semester :- 03.
Paper No:- 10 ( American Literature.)
Topic:- ‘Electra’ and ‘Oedipus’ Complex In
‘Mourning Becomes Electra.’
Submitted To:- Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University.

2.  Continuation of the Greek tradition.
 Rare to find two complexes in one work of art.
 Parallel themes goes together.
 Tragic implication generates emotion of purgation and
gives emotional relief.
 Replacement of the character by modifying their name.

3. Mourning Becomes Electra.
• Lavinia Mannon.
• Christine Mannon.
• Ezra Mannon.
• Orin Mannon.
• Captain Adam Brant.
• Captain Peter Niles.
• American Civil War.
Greek Tragedy ‘ Oresteia’
• Electra.
• Clytemnestra.
• Agamemnon.
• Orestes, Oedipus.
• Aegisthus.
• Pylades
• The Trojan War.

4.  Electra Complex
• The Electra complex is a
psychoanalytic term used
to describe a girl’s sense
of competition with her
mother for the affection of
her father.
Lavinia.
( Daughter)
Ezra.
(Father)

5. Oedipus Complex.
• Oedipus complex is a term
used by Sigmund Freud in his
theory of psychosexual stage
of development to describe a
boy’s feeling of desire for his
father. A boy fills like he is in
competition with his father
for possession of his mother.
Because he has some
attentions and affection
towards his mother.
Orin.
(son)
Christine.
(Mother)

6. Psychoanalysis of the play.
• Talk about extra marital
affair.
• Lavinia- Ezra.
Orin- Christine.
Christine- Brant.
• Freudian start that sex is the
base of human emotions.
• free flowing ‘Libido’ in the
play.

7. • The son feels obliged to love
only one woman that is his
mother.(Oedipus complex)
• The daughter is in love with
her father ( Electra complex)
• Freudian tradition love
begins with innocent
and then get
transformed into carnal
emotion with physical
characteristic.

8. • Sexual desire can not find expression outside the concrete wall of
Mannon house.
• The sea in Freudian terms suggest collective unconsciousness.
• In the end all main characters have Lacanian death. They goes under the
physical and emotional . Destiny also play a vital role in the play.
• Ezra Mannon( poison) and Adam Brant (shot dead) are murdered.
• Orin and Christine committed suicide.
• Lavinia opts for slow suicide by entombing herself within the
mansion.

9. Thank you.

10. Bibliography.
• http://sparknote.com /drama/ mourning/
summary/.html
• Gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/04/0400141h.html