6.2.2

Psychoanalytic Approach

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Psychoanalytic Approach

Psychoanalysis is a discipline developed by the famous neurologist Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).

Psychoanalysis explained

Psychoanalysis explained

  • In summary, psychoanalysis is the idea that the way we behave as humans is largely driven by unconscious desires.
  • Freud also stated that we sometimes become aware of these unconscious desires through slips of the tongue or what we dream about as we sleep.
  • A psychoanalytic approach to A Streetcar Named Desire would, therefore, focus on the clues Williams gives us about the unconscious desires of the characters.
Stanley's desire

Stanley's desire

  • On the face of it, Stanley hates what Blanche stands for (both her high ideas, culture and her shady past).
  • But at the same time, Stanley is intrigued and sexually stimulated by it.
  • This is despite – or even because of the fact – that he is married to Blanche’s sister.
  • Freudian theorists may argue that, had Stanley married Blanche instead of Stella, then he would be more sexually fulfilled and happier.
Blanche's desire

Blanche's desire

  • Blanche is both repulsed by and strongly attracted to Stanley.
  • She wishes he were more cultured and less common, but at the same time she finds his masculinity attractive and sexy.
  • Stanley is dangerous and she finds this attractive.
  • Freudian theorists might argue that Blanche made mistakes early on in her life by marrying an effeminate husband who did not reveal his homosexuality to her. She is therefore desirous of the ‘ultra-masculinity’ of Stanley.
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Overview

1.1

The Author

1.1.1Tennessee Williams
1.2

Social Context & Setting

1.2.1Social Context1.2.2Social Issues1.2.3Setting
1.3

Tragedy

1.3.1Overview of the Tragic Genre1.3.2Modern Domestic Tragedy1.3.3End of Topic Test - Author, Context & Tragedy
2

Scene Summaries

2.1

Scene One

2.1.1Scene One: Summary2.1.2Scene One: Tragedy Ideas
2.2

Scene Two

2.2.1Scene Two: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.2.2End of Topic Test - Scenes One-Two
2.3

Scene Three

2.3.1Scene Three: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.4

Scene Four

2.4.1Scene Four: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.4.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Three & Four
2.5

Scene Five

2.5.1Scene Five: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.6

Scene Six

2.6.1Scene Six: Summary
2.7

Scene Seven

2.7.1Scene Seven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.8

Scene Eight

2.8.1Scene Eight: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.8.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Five-Eight
2.9

Scene Nine

2.9.1Scene Nine: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.10

Scene Ten

2.10.1Scene Ten: Summary & Tragedy Ideas
2.11

Scene Eleven

2.11.1Scene Eleven: Summary & Tragedy Ideas2.11.2End of Topic Test - Scenes Nine-Eleven
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Blanche DuBois & Stanley Kowalski

3.1.1Blanche DuBois - The Past & Illusions3.1.2Blanche DuBois - Relationship with Men & Breakdown3.1.3The Dynamic Between Blanche & Stanley3.1.4End of Topic Test - Blanche & Stanley
3.2

Stella Kowalski & Harold Mitchell (Mitch)

3.2.1Stella Kowalski3.2.2Harold Mitchell (Mitch)
3.3

Minor Characters

3.3.1The Hubbels & Other Characters3.3.2End of Topic Test - Stella, Mitch & Others
4

Key Ideas

4.1

Sex & Gender

4.1.1Sex & Desire4.1.2Masculinity & Femininity4.1.3End of Topic Test - Sex, Desire & Gender
4.2

Appearances, Fantasy & Reality

4.2.1Outer & Inner Appearances4.2.2Fantasy & Reality4.2.3End of Topic Test - Appearances, Fantasy...
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure & Stage Design5.1.2Linking Devices5.1.3Recurring Motifs
5.2

Genre, Form & Language

5.2.1Genre5.2.2Form & Language5.2.3End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Critical Debates

6.1

Early & Modern Reception

6.1.1Interpreting Blanche & Self-Pity6.1.2Contemporary & Modern Reviews
6.2

Feminist, Psychoanalytic & Marxist Approach

6.2.1Feminist Approach6.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach6.2.3Marxist Approach6.2.4End of Topic Test - Critical Debates
7

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1

Ideas About Tragedy

7.1.1Tragic Ideas & Villain7.1.2Tragic Structure & Language
8

Recap: Main Quotes

8.1

Main Quotes by Scene

8.1.1Scene One - Quotations8.1.2Scene Two - Quotations8.1.3Scene Three - Quotations8.1.4Scene Four - Quotations8.1.5Scene Five - Quotations8.1.6Scene Six - Quotations8.1.7Scene Seven - Quotations8.1.8Scene Eight - Quotations8.1.9Scene Nine - Quotations8.1.10Scene Ten - Quotations8.1.11Scene Eleven - Quotations

Practice questions on Psychoanalytic Approach

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Who does Stanley desire unconsciously? Multiple choice
  2. 2
    How might a psychoanalytic approach interpret Stanley's feelings towards Blanche?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What might Freudian theorists suggest about Stanley's marriage?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    According to a psychoanalytic perspective, how does Blanche view Stanley?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What early mistake might Freudian theorists attribute to Blanche’s desires?Multiple choice
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Feminist Approach

Marxist Approach