Psychoanalytic Theory

As related to Huckleberry Finn

• Psychoanalytic theory operates on the assumption:

• If dreams and literature are both creations of the mind, then it’s possible to use the same interpretive strategies when examining both.

• Of course, since this is psychoanalytical theory… those strategies would be psychoanalysis.

Freud’s 3 parts of the mind

• Id= impulses and desires• Ego= enables Id• Superego= internalized values of society

Theory of Repression

• Ego and super ego repress the socially “wrong” thoughts of the Id.

(Example: Oedipal complex)

Repressed thoughts are expressed by unconscious in dreams and literature

How are repressed thoughts expressed?

• Condensation= several thoughts or people are condensed into one image

• Displacement= a desire/ anxiety is displaced onto another related image

What do psychoanalytic critics ask the text?

• How does the author’s creative process reveal their unconscious?

• What does the text reveal about the author’s psychology? (characters may be condensed, displaced, or even be projections of the author)

• How does the book impact the reader psychologically?

Journal 1: creative process

• Read the quotations about Twain’s creative process. After reading each, what can you say about his attitude toward the writing process?

• What does this reveal about him as a person?

Before we can ask what the novel reveals about Twain’s psychology, we need to know more about him.

Early Life

• Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens 11/20/1835• Sixth of seven kids• Parents: genteel Virginia families, proud of

British heritage, families in financial decline• Mom: Jane (model for Aunt Polly)• Dad: Marshall. Storekeeper, lawyer, police

officer. Bought land for mining, but had no ore. Always wanted to be wealthy, but failed.

• 1839- moved Hanibal, MI (model for St.Petersburg)

• 1847- dad died pneumonia.– Dropped out of school age 13 to work at printers

with older brother Orion and help support family• 1853- left home. Worked as printer various

places.

River life

• 1857- decide to move to South America– Sell Cocaine (not yet well known or illegal in USA)– On steamship heading to Louisiana, met captain.

Convinced to stay on as apprentice• Next four years as steam ship captain on

Mississippi.

Civil War

• 1861- war breaks out. No more steam ships• Enlists confederate army.• Deserts after 2 weeks. Moves to Nevada,

where Orion has govt job. Hopes to strike it rich in silver or gold.

• Writes for Virginia City Newspaper– Wrote for income, not because a calling.

Mark Twain is born

• 1863 first uses name Mark Twain as by line for Virginia City Paper.

• On river = two fathoms (deep enough for boat to pass safely… or not)

• In NV= 2 drinks bought on credit

Career is launched

• Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavares County- published in NY

• 1867- traveling correspondent for Alta California.

• Published Innocents Abroad and a collection of short stories.

• People know his name!

Love is in the air

• While traveling for newspaper sees picture of friend’s sister…

• A year later he’s in love.• Olivia Langdon, from wealthy east Coast

family.• She and family think he’s beneath her.• Feb 2, 1870 wedding!

First comes love, then comes marriage, them comes…

• A mansion! Her parents give them a mansion in Buffalo, NY

• November: Langdon, sickly baby boy born (died 19 mos later)

• 1871 Olivia gets typhoid. Sickly for rest of life.

Thrives• Move to Hartford, CT. Build bigger mansion.

Next to Harriet Beacher Stowe.• Lavish lifestyle• 1872 Suzy• 1874 Clara• 1876 Tom Sawyer. BIG HIT!• 1876 start Huck Finn• 1880 Jean• 1884- finish Huck Finn

Uh Oh!

• Lavish lifestyle= big price tag• Foolish investment in typesetting machine= big debt• 1895- financial trouble• 1895- year long lecture tour• 1896 Suzy died• 1902 Olivia sick. Moves to Italy. Rarely visited.• 1909 Olivia died• 1910 he died.

Psychoanalytic Journal #2

• Now you have the information you need to really try your hand as a psychoanalytic critic. So…what does the text tell you about Twain/ Clemens’ psyche(s)?(Remember: condensation, displacement, projection.)

Journal 3

• And just because it’s fun… what would you say to Huck if you were his therapist?