2 ideas The gothic genre or the theme of Feminism and Identity

Gothic Literature Theme: A Psychoanalytical Approach

Gothic literature creates a world where tragedy and repressed thoughts and behavior rise to the surface.  It gives us access to the unknown realm of the unconscious, also known as the id. Many unacceptable passions and thoughts that we as humans repress are blocked from our consciousness because it would be to unsettling to acknowledge. However, although these thoughts are repressed, these feelings and ideas powerfully influence us. They are instead expressed in disguised forms such as the work we choose, the beliefs we hold, and our daily habits. In order to cope with these thoughts we form defense mechanisms to help us cope with the stresses these thoughts create. A common defense mechanism used in gothic literature is rationalization. Rationalization involves explaining the unacceptable behavior in a logical or rational manner, avoiding the true reasons for the behavior. Overall the use of this mechanism is evident throughout The Tell-Tale Heart and The Lame Shall Enter Heaven First. In both stories it depicts the internal conflict each character faces. As soon as the unconscious thoughts attempt to ascend, they are brutally sunk down by the character’s justifications of their actions.

Theme: Feminism and Identity A Humanistic Approach

There are many psychological theories that explain the lifespan of a human; one being called Erikson’s developmental stages. It suggests that we as humans go through stages throughout our lives. It is important to understand that they are called “stages” because the individual must solve the current conflict in order to proceed to the next stage. Erikson proposes that Identity vs. Identity Crisis is one of the most fundamental stages for developing an identity. In modern day societies it normally takes place during adolescence, as teens take on various roles and integrate them to form a single identity. An identity gives the individual unity with different roles they undertake and purpose on their future outlook of life. But what happens to individuals in an oppressing society? What happens to those that aren’t encouraged to have a voice or are given the opportunity to take on a variety of roles and experiences? How can one have purpose if there is nothing to live for? In the stories Desiree’s Baby and The Youngest Doll it expresses how the lack of identity makes the females stagnant and submissive. Neither the women have a voice to speak up. Desiree was a weak woman who merely mirrored her husband’s desires. Armand’s view of woman reflected the overall opinion men had of woman. “what did it matter about a name when he could give her one of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana?” (Chopin 58). It implies that men didn’t care for the woman’s originality since at the end she would only become what the man wanted her to be. In The Youngest Doll it depicts how women lacked a will to move on. As soon as the prawn began to nest on her leg it symbolized the end of her independence and the beginning of her submissiveness to men. No longer did she have a voice but it now belonged to the man. The stripping of identity removes the woman’s purpose and it is evident that she loses her as she locks herself into the room and refuses to see any suitors. There are no implications of her trying to better herself.