'Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious' and 'Fantasia of the Unconscious'

This volume contains two essays which present D. H. Lawrence's ideas about Freud's philosophy, and wider social and political issues.

D. H. Lawrence (Author), Bruce Steele (Edited by)

9781107457461, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 June 2014

356 pages
22 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.455 kg

"This is a fine new edition of two important books and one can only hope that it will encourage a more widespread discussion of them than we have had so far." - English Literature in Transition, Garry Watson, University of Alberta

Written in D. H. Lawrence's most productive period, 'Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious' (1921) and 'Fantasia of the Unconscious' (1922) were undertaken initially in response to psychoanalytic criticism of his novel Sons and Lovers. They soon developed more generally to propose an alternative to what Lawrence perceived as the Freudian psychoanalytic theory of the unconscious and the incest motive. The essays also develop his ideas about the upbringing and education of children, about marriage, and about social and even political action. Lawrence described them as 'this pseudo-philosophy of mine which was deduced from the novels and poems, not the reverse. The absolute need one has for some sort of satisfactory mental attitude towards oneself and things in general makes one try to abstract some definite conclusions from one's experiences as a writer and as a man'. These conclusions form an illuminating guide to his works and therein lies their peculiar value.

General editor's preface
Acknowledgements
Chronology
Cue-titles
Introduction
'Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious'
'Fantasia of the Unconscious'
Explanatory notes
Textual apparatus
A note on pounds, shillings and pence.

Subject Areas: Psychoanalytical theory [Freudian psychology JMAF], Diaries, letters & journals [BJ]