Freud and Lacan Psychoanalysis: Applying the Concept to Critical Theory Amber Beard

Father of Psychoanalysis Freud developed theories about the unconscious mind and repression Believed in dream analysis—dreams reveal deeply hidden truths Publishes The Interpretation of Dreams in 1899—a circle of supporters developed, among them Jung who would go on to develop the theory of the unconscious.

Freud’s Unconscious Mind He believed poets and writers had often known of the unconscious mind (think Romantic poets) The concept of the unconscious is based on the theory of repression Theory: a set of ideas are repressed, but the remain repressed in the mind; unconscious yet operative, they appear in a set of given circumstances He based this theory on several cases of hysteria in which the behavior of patients could not be explained without reference to thoughts of which they had no awareness. –Nothing is accidental; every action, every behavior has a meaning that is rooted in the unconscious –Freud favored the use of hypnosis in psychoanalysis. If dreams are wish fulfillment, then a hypnotic state is perhaps one can come to the realm of full consciousness of desire. –DESIRE is a primary component of psychoanalysis.

Lacan and the Return of Freud “the most controversial psychoanalyst since Freud” Incredibly influential in critical theory, feminist criticism, and psychoanaltric readings of texts. He was a self-proclaimed Freudian: “It is up to you to be Lacanians if you wish. I am Freudian.” –He sent his thesis to Freud who never read his work.

Three Stages/Orders The Imaginary Stage Includes the Mirror stage Famous essay charting a decisive turning point in mental development Recognition of self in the mirror marks the beginning of a child’s ability to take control over their bodies The Symbolic Stage The Real Stage

The Other/Otherness “The Other must be considered a locus in which speech is constituted”—Lacan “The unconscious is the discourse of the other” The mother acts as the first Other for the child….she responds to the cries and demands of the child. But, at some point, the mother fails to satisfy those demands and the child became aware of the “lack” present in the ‘Other.’ This marks the beginning of the discontent of the human experience. The ‘Other’ is, according to Lacan, symbolic. It is not real, but it is the source of our angst in becoming self- actualized. Refer to The Real Stage on handout