Reading Consciousness: Analyzing Literature through William James' Stream of Thought Theory

Proceeding from the assumption that psychoanalytic theory has yielded insightful literary interpretations, I propose that equally legitimate readings result from analyzing consciousness in literature. William James' "Stream of Thought" offers a psychological theory of consciousness from which I develop a literary theory that counterbalances the Freudian emphasis on the unconscious. Examining two works by Henry James, I demonstrate how assessing the elements of a character's consciousness leads to conclusions at which other theories do not arrive. This analytical approach leads to not only an alternative critical agenda but also a fuller understanding of the psychological function of the character's and, by extension, the human mind.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Department dc:contributor.department

English

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Casto, Andrew Christopher

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Sorrentino, Paul M.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Pender, Kelly E.
• Oehlschlaeger, Fritz H.

• Consciousness in literature
• Psychological criticism
• Stream of consciousness
• Literary criticism
• Critical theory

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05102011-120610

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/32531