Psychoanalysis and Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in Chapter 7 of "English in Practice", Peter Barry alludes to how much psychoanalysis is employed in literary analysis and especially the way detective work involves psychoanalysis, as exemplified in Edgar Allan Poe's detective story "The Purloined Letter". The author points out that psychoanalysis bridges the gap between fiction-reading and comprehension, which involves a kind of detective work, especially in the reading of detective fiction. The paper relates that Barry's allusion to "The Purloined Letter" in his interpretation of "Sonnet 73" shows that the connection between literary analysis and detective work is strong and important. The paper contends that Barry uses the prefect's methods of detection in "The Purloined Letter" in his analysis of "Sonnet 73" to say that the poem is about climate, nature and death.

From the Paper:

"The Prefect and his associate, the failed detectors, also appear as failed readers in their inability to "read" (analyze) the Minister D-- and his intellectual nature. Conversely, the Minister D-- appears as an astute reader and detector of the Queen's unusual behavior and literally an instant reader and interpreter of her lette. D-- also figures as a writer of the disguised letter. Dupin, the successful detective, is a successful reader of the disguised letter, and then figures as an equivalent author of a forgery or substitute signed by way of a literary allusion."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barry, Peter. English in Practice: In Pursuit of English Studies. A Hodder Arnold Publication (March 27, 2003)

More papers on Psychoanalysis and Literature:

• Research Paper # 54145 : "Psychoanalysis and Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 119041 : "Psychoanalysis and Literary Criticism"
• Analytical Essay # 25369 : "Freudian Psychoanalysis as Literary Criticism"

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