Psychological novel

Question 1

Psychological novel
- Characteristics (7)
- Sigmund Freud, William James

Answer 1

Characteristics
- Focus on internal experience and perception
- Label created after the fact
- Inspired by modernist critics.
- Introspective narrative
- Response to the felt degradation of external, public life
- “Inward turning”
- ‘Rise of psychology’

Sigmund Freud
- Perception and consciousness are modified by the “unconscious”.

William James
- Explored gap betweeen mind and world.
- Consciousness - perception.
- Relativistic set as ‘many worlds’ as individuals.
- Order and understanding provided by the subject.
- ‘ Stream of consciousness ‘

Question 2

Psychological novel: Henry James
- Phases (3)
- Influences (3)
- Work characteristics (4)

Answer 2

**INTERESTED IN UNCONSCIOUS PERCEPTIONS AND IMPULSES + EPHIMERAL, TRANSITIONAL AFFECT.

3 phases:
1. realism
2. theatrical attempts and short stories and novellas .
3. mature, late work

Influences: french realists, painting and philosophy, reflector/focalizer.

Works:
- Mainly novels of manners with international theme
- Complex syntax + strong feel for dialogue + dramatic action
- “Scenes” + “traditions”
- Later work: style more complex, between ‘overwriting’ and ‘underwriting’.