Leiden University Student Repository

Brandhorst, Gwan (2016)

Freud and the Emergence of the Unconscious in English Literature During the Nineteenth Century

Bachelor thesis | Engelse taal en cultuur (BA)

When Freud first began to publish his theories on the unconscious around the turn of the 20th century, this represented a revolution within the field of psychology. However, Freud was much indebted to literature, in which the existence of the unconscious had been postulated for some time. This thesis follows the developing perception of the unconscious in 19th century literature as it corresponds to the development of the concept of the unconscious within psychology, from a source of fear and mystery associated with pathology, to an accepted element of the human psyche recognised within everyone. In addition, it examines how particular concepts within Freudian psychoanalysis can be identified in some of the literature preceding him. Thus, it shows how Freud's theories were anticipated by 19th century literature.

Freud

Unconscious

19th century

English Literature

Psychoanalysis

Poe

Stevenson

James

Conrad

Author

Brandhorst, Gwan

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Polak, Sara

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en