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Psychological Criticism In 'A & P And Chrysanthemums'

792 Words4 Pages

Emily Kruger
Mr. Zeeb
ENH 110 per. 6
9/12/16

Beginning with Sigmund Frued, the concept of psychological criticism examines the conscious and unconscious actions of characters. By analyzing characters’ biological impulses, rational thoughts, and rules or morals, readers are able to grasp an insight to the characters’ thoughts and actions. Psychological criticism also analyzes how the human mind works and how mental development has occurred in characters. For instance, the main characters in both “A&P” by John Updike and “Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck are similar. In both short stories, the authors develop the actions and mindset of the main character. The authors show the psychological ideas of Sigmund Frued through the characters’ drives, logical thoughts, and psychological rules. In both of the short stories the main characters have a biological impulse or drive. Both main characters are told they are unable to complete a task which leads them to want to prove an antagongist in the story incorrectly. For example, in the short story “A & P” the main character’s boss tells the main character that he wouldn’t want to quit and doesn’t know …show more content…

Another example would be in “Chrysanthemums,” when the main character states, “No I wouldn’t like fights.” (Steinbeck 322), showing logic for the main character knows that most women do not go to fights nor do they enjoy them even though she herself has never been to one. Each character was raised to believe some actions are wrong while others are right based on what they have learned and observed throughout their

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