Approaches to Interpreting Literature There are various critical approaches one can take when reading or interpreting literature. Some examples are:

Biographical  This approach to interpreting literature focuses on the life of the writer and the important people and events in his/her life.

Historical  This approach focuses on the historical events that occurred during the time a book was written.

Feminist  This approach examines female points of view, concerns, and values.

Psychoanalytical  Emphasizes the ways in which authors create works that appeal to readers’ repressed wishes and fantasies. The psychology of the reader and the text is the focus.

Philosophical  This approach focuses on the particular philosophy an author has toward human nature and society.

The Lord of the Flies Approaches to interpreting William Golding’s novel:  A Philosophical Interpretation: Thomas Hobbes  A Psychological Interpretation: Sigmund Freud

Thomas Hobbes ( )

Thomas Hobbes  Best known for his political thought  His main concern was the problem of social and political order--how human beings can live together in peace and avoid the danger and fear of civil conflict  All humans have reason to fear violent death  Held a complex view of humans

HOBBES’ PHILOSOPHY:  Human beings are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish  If not strictly controlled, humans will fight, rob and oppress one another  Everything human beings do is determined by the natural inclination to relieve physical pressures

Hobbes believed…  …humans were selfish creatures who would do anything to better their position.  …left to their own devices, people would act on their evil impulses.  …people should not be trusted to make decisions on their own.

Sigmund Freud ( )

Sigmund Freud  Austrian physician  Revolutionized ideas on how the human mind worked  Referred to as the “Father of Psychoanalysis”

Freud’s Theory  People behave according to their drives and experiences  The Unconscious plays a major role in shaping behavior  His theory focuses on sex and neurosis

According to Freud, the human personality consists of three distinct aspects: Id Ego Superego

The Id  Reservoir of libido  Functions to fulfill primordial life principles, the pleasure principle  Vitality  No organization  No laws of logic  Knows no values, no good/evil, no morality  The source of all aggression and desires  Lawless  Asocial  Gratify instincts; instant gratification  Heedless of consequences

The Id (the “Beast within”)  The Id has no regard for social conventions, legal ethics, or moral restriant  The Id is often identified with “the devil”

Which character represents the Id?

The Superego  Regulating agent  Largely unconscious  Moral censoring agent  Conscience and pride  Moral restrictions  Impulse toward perfection  “Higher” things  Controls unacceptable impulses: aggression, sexual passions  Parental influence: reward/punishment  Overactive=guilt complex  Dominated by the reality principle

The Superego  The moral component, consisting of the conscience  Identified with the “angel”

Which character represents the superego?

The Ego  Protects the individual and society  Lacks the strong vitality of the Id  Regulates instinctive drives  Conscious mind  Governed by the reality principle  Serves as an intermediary between the world within and the world without  Healthy; balanced  Balances the opposing forces of the Id and Superego

Which character represents the ego?

The Ego balances the Id and the Superego

The Pleasure Principle  The pleasure principle controls us when we choose the easy solution first and then pay for it with feelings of discomfort  Instant gratification

The Pleasure Principle The two main goals:  Seek pleasure  Avoid pain

The Reality Principle  The reality principle involves choosing what is difficult  Delayed gratification  Adjusts to environmental demands

The Reality Principle  Understands that behaviors have consequences  This includes the effects of social rules that are necessary in order to live and socialize

The End