Psychoanalytic Observations in 'Wuthering Heights' by Emile Bronte

Author : Dr Kiran Mamgain, Ms Lajwanti M, Ms Aakshi Chhetri

Abstract :Attempts to analyse the mind has always been a curious but intricate study. The present paper based on ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emile Bronte, discusses the human behaviour with respect to the society.Likewise,it can be taken as a portrayal of society where circumstances and vistas change thinking and psychological activities of individuals.The paper utilizes some Freudian speculations and Bronte’s work in ‘Wuthering Heights’,while contemplating various characters and their suggestions on society. The paper discusses the major characters of the present novel through the concept of Id, Ego and Superego as classified by Sigmund Freud, and it also looks at the various defense mechanisms that a person adopts to overshadow his/ her flaws. The key-characters of the novel Heathcliff, Catherine and Edgar delineate the Id, Ego and Superego respectively. The relationships of Heathcliff and Catherine, Edgar and Catherine, Heathcliff and Isabella build a strong plot for the novel but make the lives painful and complex for these characters. The paper also looks into the interrelativeness of the characters and its impact on their destinies ultimately. Bronte’s also substantiates Freud’s theory of psychology as this novel was published in 1847 and Freud’s theory emerged much later in 1960, almost after a hundred year composition of the novel.

Keywords :Ego, Id, Love, Selection, Personal Unconscious, Projection, Repression, Superego.

Conference Name :International Conference on English Literature and Linguistics (ICELL-24)

Conference Place London, UK

Conference Date 24th Dec 2024