Quick Write

Write about a dream you had last night or a dream you remember. What images do you recall seeing in the dream? What do you think those images mean? How would Freud interpret your dream? How would Carl Jung have a different interpretation?

Psychological Approach to Literature

Freud and Jung

FreudOur actions are motivated by psychological

forces over which we have no control.

Premise #1: Mental processes are unconscious

Premise #2: Human behavior is motivated by repressed sexuality

Freud: Sexual Imagery

Freudian critics may examinethe impact of homosexual repression

in Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall”

Mythological and Archetypal Approaches: Carl Jung

The myth critic seeks out those mysterious elements of the collective unconscious—those that provoke dramatic universal human reactions.

Archetypal ImagesJung believed that the psychic energy was

more than sexual…

The Hero’s quest (Star Wars)Shadow archetype (Batman vs. Joker)Wise old man (Karate Kid)The Good Mother (any ideas?)The Terrible Mother (any ideas?)

Some Jungian Symbols…Water: the mystery of creation; birth-death-

resurrection; the most common symbol according to Jung

Tree: the symbolism of the cosmos Nature: unspoiled beauty, innocence,

harvest/rebirth

Your turn…

Working in pairs, use the passages provided to you and create a poster of a Jungian Analysis of “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost. Prepare to present your image to the class…