Albert Mordell: The Erotic Motive in Literature

Psykoanalyyttisen kirjallisuudentutkimuksen klassikko. Plantin 1990 (1962), alkuteos 1919. Pehmeäkantinen, 202 sivua.

This work, first published in 1919, is an endeavour to apply some of the methods of psychoanalysis to literature. It traces a writer’s books back to the outward and inner events of their life and to reveal of their unconscious. This unconscious is largely identical with the mental love fantasies in our present and past life. Since the terms ‘unconscious’ and ‘erotic’ are almost synonymous, any serious study of literature which is concerned with the unconscious must deal impartially with eroticism.

"The Erotic Motive in Literature" by Albert Mordell is a profound exploration of the role of eroticism in literary works. Published in the early 20th century, Mordell delves into the psychological and artistic implications of erotic themes, arguing that the erotic motive is a driving force behind many great literary masterpieces. With a sharp intellect, Mordell examines various authors, including the likes of D.H. Lawrence and Leo Tolstoy, revealing how their personal experiences with desire, love, and sexuality informed their artistic expressions. The book is not merely a critique; it intertwines literary analysis with philosophical musings, making it both insightful and provocative. Mordell's eloquent prose encourages readers to reconsider the significance of eroticism in their favorite texts. "The Erotic Motive in Literature" remains a vital reference for scholars and enthusiasts alike, inviting readers to uncover deeper meanings beneath the surface of literary narratives, and celebrating the complexity of human emotions.


Table of Contents
1. Introduction 2. Eroticism in Life 3. Dreams and Literature 4. The Oedipus Complex and the Brother and Sister Complex 5. The Author Always Unconsciously in His Work 6. Unconscious Consolatory Mechanisms in Authorship 7. Projection, Villain Portrayals and Cynicism as Work of the Unconscious 8. Genius as a Product of the Unconscious 9. Literary Emotions and the Neuroses 10. The Infantile Love Life of the Author and its Sublimations 11. Sexual Symbolism in Literature 12. Cannibalism: The Atreus Legend 13. Psychoanalysis and Literary Criticism 14. Keats’ Personal Love Poems 15. Shelley’s Personal Love Poems 16. Psychoanalytic Study of Edgar Allan Poe 17. The Ideas of Lafcadio Hearn 18. Conclusion