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PSYCHOANALYSIS

Psychoanalysis differs greatly from other schools of criticism as it emphasizes universal conditions over particular historical periods. As a school of theory, its history is complex and takes on many forms. However, an easy way to identify this kind of criticism is to look for keywords such as repression, id and ego, Oedipal Complex, trauma, subconscious and unconscious, death drive, phallus, desire, lack, and anything that emphasizes mothers or early childhood experiences. Think Freud.

Major Critics: Jacques Lacan, Julia Kristeva, Harold Bloom

©2001 Andy Lein and Melissa Vene. Last Updated: December 2001

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