Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis To Free The Unconscious Mind

One of Freud’s strongest arguments for psychoanalysis is in his interpretation of the mind and its functions. The primary goal of psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious. In relation to the literary theory, psychoanalysis is engaged to liberate the innate drives and desires to form a better understanding of literary works. Therefore, whether or not Freud’s theories are absolute or undeniably true, they provide a basis for connecting to the innermost part of an individual or the unconscious and in relation to literature, induce instincts, desires, fears and conflicts held in the unconscious and transfer them to the conscious.
According to Freud’s theories, the mind functions unconsciously as well as consciously. Each is depicted …show more content…
There is no tactical remedy for how this is done. In defining psychoanalysis, there is a better understanding of what should be done in order to free the unconscious mind. Psychoanalysis is a theory used to treat mental disorders but its methods are what are important in relinquishing the unconscious. Therefore, psychoanalysis investigates the relationship between the conscious and unconscious entities of the mind, and in turn, uncovers the repressions (instincts, desires, fears and conflicts) held in the unconscious and transfers them to the conscious through dreams and free association. Freud developed his some of his theories on the basis of dreams, but as stated before, using the unconscious mind requires an understanding of the mental entities of the psychical apparatus. Therefore, like the function of dreams, lowering social expectations and removing restrictions to the unconscious instincts such as those of the id, will bring forth the seemingly illogical depictions of the mind. This goes beyond thinking critically and requires an individual to be involved in making the unconscious …show more content…
These should be taken into consideration when determining what psychological effects are taking place, but still, Freud’s theories provide a starting point in making the unconscious conscious. Additionally, engaging the ideas of the elements of the mind, id, ego, and superego, help to investigate the relationship between the conscious and unconscious entities of the mind, expose the repressions held in the unconscious, and transfer these repressions to the conscious through methods such as dreams and free association. While a reader is most likely not dreaming while using psychoanalysis to better interpret literary works, considering elements of personality such as childhood experiences, the unconscious, life-sustaining and destructive drives, defenses, and reactions. Considering and engaging these elements of personality offer individuals a richer understanding and interpretation of literary