This document provides an overview of psychological criticism as a method of literary analysis. It explains that psychological criticism examines the minds of characters and authors by applying theories from fields like psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and theories of human needs and development. The document recommends choosing a psychological theory to research and apply when conducting a psychological criticism of a literary work. It also notes some limitations but emphasizes the benefits of exploring psychology in literature.

1. Psychological Criticism Delving into the mind…

2. What is psychology? The science of the human mind and human behavior

3. How does it connect to literature? Glimpse into the mind of Characters Author Our own minds

4. First psychological critic 384 BC – 322 BC Discussed tragedy Catharsis Recognition

5. Modern origin Sigmund Freud Father of psychoanalysis Emphasis on the unconscious

6. Many other views now exist Jung (remember archetypes?) Maslow (hierarchy of needs) Skinner (Behaviorism) Daniel Goleman (EQ) and many more…

7. Benefits ? A reader can explore the psychology Of a writer as expressed in the work. Of fictional characters In the form of the work (symbols, etc.) Of a culture or society Of the reader

8. Limitations Usually connected to criticisms of the psychologist and psychological theory applied rather than the critical lens as a whole Freud was a terrible sexist… Psychoanalysis is deeply personal… But, some also say it ignores the text and everything that goes with the work as a text

9. Warning!!!!!!! You cannot do a psychological (sometimes called psychoanalytic) criticism without knowing and applying a psychological theory. Research a theory and then apply it!

10. For example, Freud’s theory …

11. Examine how Freud’s theory appears in the work..

12. A classic subject of Psychological Criticism

13. Check out the website… You will find a .pdf called “Some Other Useful Psychological Theories and Frameworks for Analysing Literature” with suggestions for theories to research, A link to the explanation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need and; An activity matching Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to Life of Pi

14. References Doing Literary Criticism: Helping Students Engage with Challenging Texts by Tim Gillespie. © 2010. Stenhouse Publishers.

15. Brought to you by your friendly neighbourhood teacher… Liana Côté