Psychoanalytic Approach
English Lit: AQA A Level The Great Gatsby - Specification A, topic 2.2.2
Psychoanalytic Approach to The Great Gatsby
Psychoanalysis is a discipline developed by the famous neurologist Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).
,w_800.png)
Psychoanalysis
- In summary, it is the idea that the way we behave as humans is largely driven by unconscious desires. So a psychoanalytic approach to The Great Gatsby would focus on the unconscious desires of the characters.
Gatsby
- Gatsby's unconscious desire is to be with Daisy but he knows that in reality, this may not work out for the good.
Tom Buchanan
- Tom's unconscious desire is perhaps to be with Myrtle. But eventually, he is forced to accept reality (for the sake of Pammy) and so stays with Daisy.
George Wilson
- George Wilson is aware of the effect Tom has on him but seems unable to do anything about him.
- He appears to have lost sense of what is important.
Daisy Buchanan
- Unconsciously, Daisy appears to want to be with Gatsby, but she feels he is too criminalised to be a true partner. For this reason, she sticks with Tom.
Myrtle Wilson
- Myrtle Wilson's marriage to George has broken down so she thinks she wishes to be with Tom.
Test yourself on Psychoanalytic Approach
Who developed psychoanalysis?
Whose unconscious desire is to be with Daisy?
Whose unconscious desire is to be with Myrtle?
Whose unconscious desire is to be with Gatsby?