Summary & Response

Mental health as well as emotion in general were topics that were overlooked during the late eighteen hundreds. Doctors had almost no knowledge on psychological illnesses which ultimately meant there was no definite treatment. It was believed these conditions were to pertain to females for the most part, so doctors often thought these strong surges of emotion were exaggerated. In Freud’s “Five Lectures On Psychoanalysis” he stated his concerns regarding doctors mistreatment of patients who suffered from hysteria. He criticized their methods of practice and ignorance which led to the detriment of patients. In Charlotte Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” she voices Freud’s concerns regarding doctors’ treatment for hysteria by describing John’s attitude towards his wife, and his apparent ignorance. 

Freud’s lecture is relative to “The Yellow Wallpaper”as his message of doctors mistreating patients with hysteria is conveyed through Gilman’s short story. Freud states in Lecture 1 “But all his knowledge – his training in anatomy, in physiology and in pathology – leaves him in the lurch when he is confronted by the details of hysterical phenomena.” (Freud 2201). This is seen through John’s actions as he insists he knew the remedy that was needed, prescribing the narrator the “resting cure”. He rejects any thoughts she has, thus pressuring her to suppress any emotions. Though in fact being unable to communicate her feelings exacerbated her disease.  “John does not know how much I really suffer. He knows there is no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him” (Gilman 649). Due to John’s misunderstanding of his wife’s real concerns and his perception of her condition, Freud’s claim that doctors have little concern when it comes to hysterical patients is evident. 

Freud reveals Breuer as one of the first doctors who showed interest in treating hysteria, instead of denying that it was not a disorder. “Dr. Breuer’s attitude towards his patient deserved no such reproach. He gave her both sympathy and interest, even though, to begin with, he did not know how to help her.”(Freud 2202). Breuer tried to understand his patients’ condition instead of following a path of ignorance, he handled them with care. He used methods that would ultimately cure his patients symptoms, the “talking cure” otherwise known as “chimney-sweeping”. Which was undoubtedly different than what John had prescribed in “The Yellow Wallpaper.” According to Freud, in time this cure would do more than just offer a temporary relief in one’s mental state, rather it would allow the debilitating effects of their illness to fade. Freud notes that Dr. Breurers methods of trying to understand hysteria and the process of “chimney sweeping” were the most effective and successful in that time. If this approach was taken by other doctors in this field patients mental deterioration could have possibly been avoided. 

Inevitably, the criticism of many of these doctors by Freud represented John’s own actions. The indifference John possessed did not permit him to understand the Narrator and her needs, fitting his persona into what Freud perceived most doctors to be. Unless John had sympathized with and treated the Narrator appropriately as Breuer had with his patient, perhaps she may have been healed. The “resting cure” that was prescribed and the situation of the narrator being undermined in “The Yellow Wallpaper” attests to what Freud believed in Lecture 1 addressing doctors mistreatment of patients suffering hysteria. 

Exploratory Essay

 Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” discusses a story of a once thoughtful and loving man who had a deep care for animals, he then turns into one of disturbance and irrationality by hurting others. The cat, Pluto, and alcohol are key symbols that exemplify the narrator’s change in character and create a bridge that demonstrates the narrator’s true self and wishes. The narrator of the short story expresses hostile acts of aggression emanating from suppressed emotions and excessive drinking thus illustrating several Freudian concepts, such as repression and displacement. From a Freudian perspective, these acts and emotions ensue from trauma repressed into the unconscious and are then brought into the light under the influence of, in this case, alcohol. Pluto was a victim to this and the narrator’s displaced impulses.  

Repression is a recurring concept in Freud’s lectures regarding psychoanalysis and is implemented in Poe’s “The Black Cat” in different forms both externally and internally. Freud defines repression as the absence of unwanted memories or feelings in the conscious mind, often aggressive, sexual, or violent impulses which can be fueled by childhood trauma and are pushed into the unconscious. (Freud 2212). The narrator of “The Black Cat” undergoes the symptoms of internal repression as they arose from past trauma as a child which then affected his moral behavior. As a child, the narrator was docile and had a tender heart which made him “the jest” to his companions. (Poe 2). And so, he learned to surround himself with animals instead, he sought pleasure in caring for animals which followed him into adulthood. Lack of social interaction with others restricted him in regards to expressing emotions and caused a build-up of hate to be formed. As time progressed the narrator faced a change in a disposition that prompted him into becoming abusive to his wife and the other animals. Yet, he restrained himself when it came to Pluto. One night when he came home intoxicated the cat avoided his presence, bringing him to an epiphany. He had come to realize the more he lost himself to alcohol he induced to violence towards those around him including his wife, pets, and his favorable companion, Pluto.

The realization of who he had become caused him to loathe himself as an individual. Yet, he continued on with his heinous acts of hurting those before him. Although he had previously restrained himself from hurting Pluto, he had let his anger get the best of him and “sooned drowned in wine” (Poe 8). The text states “I took from my waistcoat-pocket a pen-knife, opened it, grasped the poor beast by the throat, and deliberately cut one of its eyes from the socket” (Poe 7). This emphasizing the narrator’s resentment and aggression he had repressed, now emerging causing him to hurt the ones he loved the most. Ultimately, he had developed irrational impulses and so he nooses Pluto, worsening his case and the external repression he had faced. He later felt a void within him and to fill it brought a cat who was of similar appearance, a white marked cat. The narrator is reminded of his former cat as he recognizes the resemblances it had with Pluto thus his anger towards the white-marked cat develops. He is made misguided and absurd by anger, he succumbs to his former impulses once again. Despite trying to repress them his consumption of alcohol intoxicates him and brings these repressed wishes to his conscious mind. 

Lastly, displacement is evident when discussing the content of “The Black Cat” as the narrator expresses irrational behavior of anger and resentment towards Pluto, his wife and other pets, fueled by alcohol. Freud describes displacement as dreams that have been “subjected to distortion” (Freud 2222). This can be linked to the situation of the narrator, as his anger iswas distorted and displaced onto harmless and unrelated figures. As stated in the text “I fancied that the cat avoided my presence. I seized him; when, in his fright at my violence, he inflicted a slight wound upon my hand with his teeth. The fury of a demon instantly possessed me.” (Poe 7).  Due to the narrator’s obsession over drinking his anger compelled him to harm Pluto. His emotions now enter the consciousness mind manifesting him into killing his wife, Pluto and eventually himself as well.  

To conclude Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat”, is a literary piece that conveys concepts of Freud’s study of psychoanalysis. The many forms of aggression he had displayed alluding to the fact he had repressed emotions for too long and coped with excessive drinking. Thus leading to the death of many including himself. Through Freud’s interpretation the analysis of the narrator’s actions in “The Black Cat” depict ideas of internal and external repression as well as displacement. 

Critical Analysis Research Paper

The oppression of women in society has been an ongoing struggle. The women’s rights movement had occurred between the 1960s to 1970s, yet women have not gained equal footing and were still seen as sexual objects who served the purpose of satisfying men. Joyce Carol Oates published the short story “Where are you going, Where have you been?” displaying the actions of the antagonist Arnold friend, to Connie, a young girl who symbolized a woman’s place in society. Oates comments, critiques and illustrates society in 1960s America through the explicit content in her story as she discusses often divisive subjects such as the sexualization of women, while implementing Freudian concepts such as the id, ego, and superego within Connie to show how society has become an uncivilized wasteland encouraging the objectification of women. 

America during the 1960s had a certain notion surrounding women which labeled them as objects that fulfilled men’s sexual desires. They were exploited in order to fit the ideals of society. Women were exploited  heavily in several aspects. During the early 1960s young girls were “raised…to be sexually charged and hyperaware of their public appearances, but ultimately women were told to channel their sexuality into marriage and procreation.” (O’Keefe 56). This can be seen in the events that took place in “Where are going, Where have you been?” as Oates addresses these issues as she conveys the message through Connie. 

Oates characterizes Connie as a girl who was infatuated with her outer appearance and constantly sought male validation. Oates says “…she knew she was pretty and that was everything…” (Oates 1), this exemplifies the obsession she had for beauty, which also made her psyche revolve around the perception that only beauty would satisfy her sexual desires. A distorted perception of women was demonstrated by the depiction that played into the belief that women needed to win approval from males to feel validated. For instance, when Arnold spoke to Connie he said: “I don’t like them fat.” (Oates 34). We can see how Oates describes how men are unnecessarily obsessed with a woman’s beauty and show their preferences publicly on them. Body image was something women constantly battled against, shaping the views they had on themselves. This altered a woman’s self-worth as they felt they needed to be defined by what society considers to be acceptable and fit into social ideals, thus leading to the idea that they must prioritize their appearance. When prioritizing appearance it can lead to the sexualization of oneself, “a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics”. (Calogero 758). As women began to sexualize themselves in order to gain male approval, men over sexualizing women were seen to be normal. And so the over sexuality and objectifying of women through these trivial issues and biases during the 1960s was what Oates epitomizes in her story.  

There were three major concepts in Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, the id, ego, and superego. Freud defines the id to be “only a striving to bring about the satisfaction of the instinctual needs subject to the observance of the pleasure principle.” (Freud 1). The id is described to satisfy one’s wishful impulses and desires without considering possible repercussions. These concepts can be seen throughout the development of Connies character in  “Where are you going, Where have you been?” as her id is seen in her desire for sexual attention. Connie had great care for how she looked in a males eyes and deeply valued her appearance. Her actions would reflect this as she would constantly check herself, “craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” (Oates 1). Connie’s tendency of continually looking to see if she maintained a good appearance reflected her willingness to win the appreciation of others, which was also present during her confrontation with Arnold. Connie was blinded by her id as she disregarded the dangers of the situation she was in. She was not in a safe environment as she was home alone and talking to a strange man, yet she still paid close attention to Arnolds physical characteristics. “Connie liked the way he was dressed…Even his neck looked muscular.”(Oates 24). Although Connie was fearful at first she did not hesitate to notice these features. She also was pleased with the conversation he made as he complimented her physical features saying “You’re cute…Don’tcha believe me, or what?” (Oates 18). This exemplifies Connie’s id as she blushed to his remarks. She disregards any moral standpoint and lets her succumb to her desires of getting attention from men. The desires she felt for Arnold let her lose control of any sense of morality. She gave in order to receive that sense of pleasure, not caring if Arnold looked at her in a sexual manner. 

The ego is the next Freudian concept displayed in Connies character. Essentially what the ego does as Freud explains is “In that way it has dethroned the pleasure principle which dominates the course of events in the id without any restriction and has replaced it by the reality principle.”(Freud 1). In regards to Connie, her ego was in action when further developing her interaction with Arnold Friend. She realizes the situation she was in “She said suddenly, “Hey, how old are you?”(Oates 32). Her id was now suppressed and overthrown by the ego, which is signified in her change in behavior. Connie tries to take control of the situation and build a wall as her id is now suppressed and her ego is behind the wheel. A major event that reveals the ego, is when Arnold is persistent about Connie joining him for a ride. She replies to Arnold with “I don’t know.”, “I got things to do.”, “Things.” (Oates 31). This shows that she is reluctant to go in, which contrasts with her actions beforehand due to her ego being in effect. 

The superego is seen as the story approaches to the end when Connie faces the dangers projected onto her by Arnold. As Arnold invades Connie’s home and threatens her she utilizes her superego in order to morally situate what was happening to her. Freud says “The superego applies the strictest moral standard to the helpless ego which is at its mercy; in general it represents the claims of morality, and we realize all at once that our moral sense of guilt is the expression of the tension between the ego and the superego”. (Freud 3). Connie applies this as she gives in to Arnold’s threats of hurting her family, and goes with him “She was hollow with what had been fear but what was now just an emptiness. All that screaming had blasted it out of her.” (Oates 39). Connie sacrifices herself, as her superego makes her realize that she must do what is morally correct to save her family. 

Furthermore, the overall message of “Where are you going, Where have you been?”  is seen to display how Oates comments and critiques society’s view of women and how they are portrayed to be sexual objects, who are constantly abused and exploited. As Connie represents women in America during the 1960s, she shows how women were only taught to be infatuated with their looks and fulfill the desires of men. As well as allowing men to control their livelihood even in the worst of times.