8. The Character Perspective
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1) Which of the following is the central focus of the character
perspective?
a)
The inner world of the character
b)
The socio-cultural background of the character
c)
the reader's interaction with the character
d)
The intention of the author
2) The socially unacceptable desires lie
hidden........................
a)
in the conscious mind
b)
in the unconscious mind
c)
the subconscious mind
d)
none of them
3) According to Sigmund Freud, literature is
a)
the expression of the author's suppressed desires.
b)
the expression of the author's public desires.
c)
the expression of the author's healthy and socially acceptable desires.
d)
the expression of the author's relationship with his/her society.
4) The Oedipus complex refers to
a)
a male child's attraction for another male child
b)
a male child's unconscious sexual desire for a female child
c)
a male child's conscious sexual desire for his mother
d)
a male child's unconscious sexual desire for his mother.
Extra MCQs
1. What does psychoanalytic criticism primarily focus on in
literature?
a)
The socio-cultural background of the characters
b)
The psychological dimension of the characters
c)
The historical context of the story
d)
The author's personal experiences
2. Who was the pioneer of psychoanalysis and its application in
literary criticism?
a)
Jacques Lacan
b)
Sigmund Freud
c)
Karl Marx
d)
Friedrich Nietzsche
3. What does the unconscious mind of a person comprise?
a)
Thoughts, impulses, and feelings about which they are unaware
b)
Memories that are actively recalled
c)
Rational and logical thinking processes
d)
Information from the five senses
4. According to psychoanalytic perspective, what influences a
person's emotions and behavior?
a)
Their conscious mind
b)
Their social environment
c)
Their unconscious mind
d)
Their educational background
5. What is the main goal of psychoanalysis in examining a
person's mind?
a)
To reinforce conscious thoughts and desires
b)
To discover hidden causes of mental problems
c)
To promote self-awareness and mindfulness
d)
To validate societal norms and values
6. In psychoanalytic criticism, what does the Oedipus complex
refer to?
a)
A male child's attraction for another male child
b)
A male child's conscious sexual desire for his mother
c)
A female child's unconscious sexual desire for her father
d)
A male child's unconscious sexual desire for his mother
7. How does psychoanalytic criticism approach dysfunctional
behavior in characters?
a)
It dismisses it as irrelevant to the literary analysis
b)
It seeks to explore the underlying causes of such behavior
c)
It praises it as a form of artistic expression
d)
It labels it as a result of societal influences
8. What does the Electra complex refer to in psychoanalytic
criticism?
a)
A female child's attraction to her mother
b)
A male child's attraction to his father
c)
A female child's unconscious sexual desire for her father
d)
A male child's unconscious sexual desire for his mother
9. According to psychoanalytic criticism, how does the
unconscious mind influence a person's language and behavior?
a)
It has no influence on language and behavior
b)
It shapes their perception, behavior, and actions
c)
It only affects their dreams and nightmares
d)
It is responsible for conscious decision-making
10. When applying psychoanalytic criticism to literature, what
should readers seek evidence of in the text?
a)
Characters' socio-economic backgrounds
b)
Characters' unconscious desires and conflicts
c)
Historical events that shaped the characters' lives
d)
The author's personal experiences and beliefs
11. According to psychoanalytic criticism, what does a literary
work serve as a manifestation of?
a)
Suppressed desires
b)
Social norms and values
c)
Historical events
d)
Rational thoughts
12. In psychoanalysis, what does the term
"suppression" refer to?
a)
Conscious control of socially unacceptable thoughts and desires
b)
Active expression of emotions and desires
c)
Unconscious manipulation of memories
d)
Repression of positive emotions
13. According to Sigmund Freud, what does a creative work by an
artist resemble?
a)
A daydream or fantasy
b)
A factual account of events
c)
A historical document
d)
A scientific report
14. What is the unconscious often compared to in psychoanalysis?
a)
A cauldron full of bubbling desires
b)
A clear and logical thought process
c)
A calm and serene ocean
d)
A structured and organized database
15. According to psychoanalysis, what dominates an individual's
emotional life?
a)
Their conscious thoughts and beliefs
b)
Their unconscious impulses and desires
c)
Their socio-cultural background
d)
Their rational decision-making processes
16. What is the Oedipus complex in psychoanalytic theory?
a)
A child's unconscious sexual desire for the same-sex parent
b)
A child's unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent
c)
A child's conscious sexual attraction to their parents
d)
A child's rivalry with their siblings
17. Who was the Theban hero after whom the Oedipus complex was
named?
a)
Oedipus
b)
Laius
c)
Jocasta
d)
Electra
18. According to psychoanalytic theory, when does the Oedipus
complex normally become weaker?
a)
As a child matures emotionally
b)
During adolescence
c)
In early childhood
d)
It remains active throughout life
19. What should readers look for in a literary text to
understand a character's emotional life according to psychoanalysis?
a)
Symbols representing social norms
b)
Symptoms of suppressed desires and dysfunctional behavior
c)
Historical references and events
d)
Direct statements about the character's emotions
20. How does psychoanalytic criticism approach characters'
dreams in a literary text?
a)
Dreams are considered irrelevant to character analysis
b)
Dreams are seen as a manifestation of suppressed desires
c)
Dreams are dismissed as mere fantasy
d)
Dreams are analyzed for their historical significance
B. Short Questions
1) What is the relationship between characters and any literary
text?
The
relationship between characters and a literary text is fundamental to the
understanding and interpretation of the narrative. Characters are the vessels
through which the plot unfolds, and they play a central role in conveying the
themes, conflicts, and messages of the story.
Characters
are brought to life through the author's descriptions, dialogues, actions, and
inner thoughts. They possess unique traits, motivations, and complexities that
shape their behavior and decisions. Readers form connections with characters,
empathizing with their struggles, celebrating their victories, and sometimes
lamenting their flaws.
Furthermore,
characters serve as vehicles for the exploration of broader human experiences,
societal issues, and philosophical inquiries. They can represent archetypes,
embodying universal qualities or characteristics. In this way, characters
become relatable and relatable conduits for readers to engage with the text on
a personal level.
A
literary text, on the other hand, provides the framework and context for these
characters to exist and interact. It sets the stage, defines the rules of the
narrative, and establishes the world in which the characters operate. Through
their interactions with one another and their environment, characters drive the
plot forward, revealing the story's underlying meanings and messages.
The
relationship between characters and a literary text is symbiotic. Characters breathe
life into the narrative, while the text offers the characters a stage on which
to perform their roles, creating a dynamic and immersive reading experience.
2) What do we focus on when we read a literary work from the
perspective of the character's psyche?
When
reading a literary work from the perspective of the character's psyche, our
focus is on delving into the character's inner world, which includes their
deepest thoughts, feelings, beliefs, desires, and motivations. We aim to
uncover the psychological intricacies that shape the character's perceptions,
behavior, and actions within the narrative.
This
approach, often referred to as psychological or psychoanalytic criticism,
involves analyzing how the character's conscious and unconscious elements
influence their decisions and interactions. We pay attention to any signs of
suppressed desires, inner conflicts, dysfunctional behaviors, and underlying
emotional struggles. Additionally, we look for symbols, metaphors, and dream
elements that may offer insight into the character's subconscious.
By
examining the character's psyche, we gain a deeper understanding of their
complexities and the driving forces behind their actions. This perspective
allows us to empathize with the character on a more profound level and
appreciate the intricate portrayal crafted by the author. It also provides a
gateway to explore broader themes related to human behavior, emotions, and
relationships within the context of the literary work.
3) What is the unconscious mind? How do our unconscious desires
manifest themselves in our everyday life?
The
unconscious mind, according to psychoanalytic theory, is a realm of mental
activity that exists outside our conscious awareness. It encompasses thoughts,
emotions, desires, memories, and motivations that are not immediately
accessible to our conscious thought processes. This part of the mind operates
beneath the surface, influencing our behaviors, decisions, and perceptions
without our conscious knowledge.
Our
unconscious desires often find subtle ways to manifest in our everyday lives.
One common manifestation is through slips of the tongue or Freudian slips,
where unintended words or phrases reveal underlying thoughts or wishes.
Additionally, dreams serve as a significant outlet for the expression of
suppressed desires and emotions. Symbols, images, and scenarios in dreams can
be interpreted as reflections of our unconscious struggles and desires.
Moreover,
unconscious desires can influence our behaviors and interactions with others.
For instance, an individual with suppressed feelings of inadequacy may
overcompensate by seeking excessive validation or success. In relationships,
unexpressed desires may lead to subtle forms of manipulation or
passive-aggressiveness. The unconscious mind plays a substantial role in
shaping our thoughts and behaviors, often influencing our experiences in ways
we may not readily recognize or understand.
4) To what extent do you agree that creative writing is the
expression of unfulfilled desires? Justify your argument.
Creative
writing, according to psychoanalytic theory, is considered an outlet for the
expression of unfulfilled desires. This perspective, proposed by Sigmund Freud,
posits that artistic endeavors, including writing, serve as a channel for
individuals to articulate thoughts, emotions, and desires that they may not be
able to express directly in their daily lives.
One
argument in favor of this view is that creative works often delve into complex
and nuanced emotional landscapes. Authors may use their writing to explore
themes of longing, unrequited love, unfulfilled ambitions, and suppressed
memories. These themes are reflective of the human condition, and creative
writing provides a safe space for individuals to confront and process these
emotions.
Furthermore,
characters and narratives in literature can serve as proxies for the author's
own experiences and desires. Through fictional characters, authors can
vicariously live out scenarios, relationships, or experiences that may be
unattainable or too complex to pursue in reality.
It's
important to acknowledge that not all creative writing is solely driven by
unfulfilled desires. Many authors draw inspiration from a variety of sources,
including personal experiences, observations of the world, social or political
commentary, and pure imagination. While unfulfilled desires may play a role in
some works, they do not encompass the entirety of creative expression.
5) What is the Oedipus complex? Search the Internet for any two
literary works that deal with the theme of the Oedipus complex, and write a
paragraph about it.
The
Oedipus complex, proposed by Sigmund Freud, is a central concept in
psychoanalytic theory. It refers to a child's unconscious sexual desire for the
opposite-sex parent, typically accompanied by feelings of rivalry and jealousy
towards the same-sex parent. This theory is named after the character Oedipus
from Greek mythology, who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.
According
to Freud, the Oedipus complex is a crucial developmental stage in a child's
psychosexual development. It is believed to occur during the phallic stage
(around ages 3 to 6) of Freud's psychosexual stages of development. During this
phase, children become aware of their own bodies and develop an attachment to
the parent of the opposite sex while seeing the same-sex parent as a rival for
the affections of the desired parent.
It
is important to note that the Oedipus complex operates at an unconscious level,
and as a child matures emotionally, these feelings typically diminish.
Successfully navigating this stage is thought to be crucial for the development
of healthy adult relationships. The concept of the Oedipus complex has been
influential in shaping theories of human psychology and understanding familial
dynamics.
Best of Luck
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