A PSYCHOANALYTICAL STUDY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR AND INNER CONFLICT IN LITERATURE

Abstract

Psychoanalysis has significantly influenced literary criticism by providing tools to explore the unconscious mind, suppressed desires, and psychological conflicts reflected in literary characters. This research paper examines the psychoanalytical dimensions of human behaviour as represented in literature through the theoretical framework developed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded by psychoanalytic thinkers. The study focuses on the concepts of unconscious motivation, repression, defense mechanisms, and identity formation. Using qualitative textual analysis, the research interprets how literary characters reveal psychological tensions between desire and social norms. The paper argues that psychoanalytical criticism enables deeper understanding of character construction and human psychology, highlighting literature as a reflection of inner emotional realities. The study concludes that psychoanalysis remains a powerful interdisciplinary approach connecting psychology and literary interpretation.