Lecture: Passion, Taboos, and Liberation: A Freudian Perspective on English Literature

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, considered sexuality a fundamental aspect of human mental life. His theory of libido and the concept of "curing through the bed" (the therapeutic effect of sexual experience) became key to understanding human behavior, neuroses, and mechanisms of liberation from repressed desires. In English literature, we can observe the influence of Freudian thought in the depiction of characters, their conflicts, and their search for liberation through sexual relationships.

Freud argued that repressed desires, especially sexual ones, are the root cause of neuroses. He viewed the sexual act not only as a source of pleasure but also as a means of psychological release. Within psychoanalysis, he studied cases of hysteria and phobias, identifying their origins in traumatic sexual experiences or the absence thereof. The concept of "curing through the bed" was not explicitly formulated by Freud, but in his works, such as Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905) and The Interpretation of Dreams (1899), there is a clear idea that resolving sexual frustrations contributes to mental well-being.

English literature, starting from the Victorian era, abounds with examples of repressed sexuality and its consequences. A Freudian analysis allows for a deeper understanding of characters' motives and the reasons for their suffering. In Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, the protagonist struggles with her own desires and societal constraints. Her relationship with Rochester can be interpreted as a battle between moral values and deep-seated passions. A Freudian analysis reveals that Jane’s liberation only occurs once she acknowledges and accepts her love for Rochester.

D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover openly demonstrates the therapeutic effect of sexual liberation. Lawrence emphasizes the idea that physical love can heal emotional wounds and restore a sense of wholeness. In the context of Freudian thought, Constance Chatterley’s relationship with Mellors symbolizes an escape from emotional emptiness. Meanwhile, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway subtly portrays the internal conflicts of characters struggling with repressed desires. Peter Walsh, whose unfulfilled feelings for Clarissa Dalloway lead to his emotional instability, from a Freudian perspective, suffers due to suppressed sexual impulses.

When comparing these characters to others in English novels, different models of coping with repressed desires emerge. For instance, Tess Durbeyfield from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles becomes a victim of sexual violence, and her subsequent life serves as a stark example of the destructive effects of repressed trauma. Unlike Jane Eyre, who finds liberation in love, Tess must grapple with the social and moral consequences of her trauma. Heathcliff from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights represents another model—his love for Catherine turns into obsession, leading to aggressive and self-destructive behavior. Unlike Mellors in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, whose passion becomes a source of renewal, Heathcliff never achieves liberation.

Dorian Gray, the protagonist of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, embodies Freud’s idea of the conflict between the id (instinctive desires) and the superego (moral constraints). His pursuit of pleasure without emotional attachment contrasts with the idea of "curing through the bed," as his desires ultimately lead to moral and physical ruin.

Freudian theory continues to influence the analysis of English literature. Modern studies expand the concept of sexuality, incorporating feminist and queer theories. Nevertheless, Freud’s central idea—the link between repressed desires and mental health—remains relevant.

Freud’s theory of sexual liberation as a means of psychological healing is reflected in English literature through characters struggling with repressed desires. The works of Brontë, Lawrence, and Woolf illustrate how characters find (or fail to find) resolution through the recognition and experience of passion. Comparing them to other characters, such as Tess, Heathcliff, and Dorian Gray, reveals the different ways individuals cope (or fail to cope) with their desires. Analyzing literature from a Freudian perspective provides a deeper understanding of characters’ inner worlds and motivations, uncovering the hidden mechanisms of the human psyche.

Professor Victoria. 2025.