What hidden desires shape literature? Why do certain stories resemble dreams, fantasies, fears, and psychological obsessions? In this episode of Literary Rides, we explore the fascinating world of psychoanalytic criticism through the ideas of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and later feminist critiques of representation and the male gaze.
The discussion examines Freud’s theory of the unconscious, repression, wish fulfilment, and the idea of the writer as a “dreamer in broad daylight.” We investigate how psychoanalytic criticism interprets literary characters, symbols, and narratives as expressions of hidden psychic conflicts and emotional desires.
The episode also explores Jung’s collective unconscious and archetypal criticism, tracing how recurring myths, symbols, and narrative structures appear across cultures and literary traditions. From tragic heroes to death–rebirth cycles, literature becomes a map of humanity’s shared symbolic imagination.
Moving further, the conversation engages with feminist critiques of psychoanalysis and visual culture, particularly the concept of the male gaze and the representation of women within patriarchal narrative structures.
Designed for UGC NET English students, literature scholars, researchers, and serious readers, this episode offers a clear yet intellectually layered introduction to one of the most influential approaches in literary theory.