PSYCHOANALYTICAL INTERPRETATION OFJHUMPALAHIRI‟SINTERPRETER OF MALADIES AND BRIAN LEUNG‟S WORLD FAMOUS LOVE ACTS

PSYCHOANALYTICAL INTERPRETATION OFJHUMPALAHIRI‟SINTERPRETER OF MALADIES AND BRIAN LEUNG‟S WORLD FAMOUS LOVE ACTS

Abstract:

This study is a psychoanalytical interpretation of JhumpaLahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies and Brian Leung’s World Famous Love Acts.This is born out of the fact that previous studies have focused on the intricate relationship between dislocation in respect to spirituality and narration. In this regard, this study examines cultural and psychological dislocation in respect to the self and the other on the Asian Americans’ existential experiences. This research’s specific objectives are to demonstrate that the short story is a suitable literary discursive form for espousing Asian American experiences and that dislocation devolves into cultural disjunction and marital/familial degeneration. It alsodemonstrates that traumatic events bring to fore the despondency inherent in Asian American characters and that Horneyan Psychoanalytical criticism is an appropriate medium for the interpretation of characters’ personality disorder. The study employs qualitative research technique and four stories are analysed from each collection in addition to the use of secondary sources. It also harnesses Horney’s approach to psychoanalysis to investigate the various neurotic trends manifest in characters’ coping strategy. The study’s findings show that there is an affinity between unresolved conflicts, degenerating family relationships and unhealthy impulses. It also reveals that, dislocated Asian American characters mask their state to various degrees through neurotic trends. This work concludes by pointing out that the Asian Americans’ cultural and psychological dislocation underscores their American experience.

PSYCHOANALYTICAL INTERPRETATION OFJHUMPALAHIRI‟SINTERPRETER OF MALADIES AND BRIAN LEUNG‟S WORLD FAMOUS LOVE ACTS