Elizabeth Bowen's Psychoanalytic Fiction

The book offers a new account of Bowen's fiction, highlighting her psychoanalytic thinking about development, sexuality, and gender, and its relationship with the socio-political matrix.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Fuses historical and psychoanalytic perspectives to offer a provocative and original analysis of Elizabeth Bowen's fiction. The first major analysis of Bowen's fiction to appear since 2004, this substantial, in-depth, and distinctive interpretation of her novels and short stories provides a new account of Bowen's fiction that highlights the force and originality of her virtually psychoanalytic thinking about development, sexuality, and gender. Focusing on the relationship between Bowen's work and the socio-political matrix from which it emerges, Coulson presents a psychoanalytic literary interpretation informed by biographical, cultural, and political contextualisation.

Elizabeth Bowen's fiction has been the subject of numerous critical analyses, but the first major analysis of her work since 2004 is a substantial, in-depth, and distinctive interpretation of her novels and short stories. Coulson's book provides a new account of Bowen's fiction that highlights the force and originality of her virtually psychoanalytic thinking about development, sexuality, and gender. Focusing on the relationship between Bowen's work and the socio-political matrix from which it emerges, Coulson presents a psychoanalytic literary interpretation informed by biographical, cultural, and political contextualisation.

Bowen's fiction is characterized by a deep exploration of the human psyche and the social and political forces that shape it. Coulson's analysis draws on a wide range of literary and cultural sources, including biographical information, cultural context, and political analysis. He argues that Bowen's work is deeply informed by her own experiences and observations, as well as by the broader social and political climate of her time.

One of the key themes in Bowen's fiction is the relationship between development and sexuality. Coulson argues that Bowen's characters are often caught between the desire for personal growth and the constraints of social and cultural norms. This tension is particularly evident in her novels set in the early twentieth century, which depict a society in which women are expected to conform to traditional gender roles and are often denied access to education and employment.

Bowen's characters are also deeply affected by the social and political forces of their time. Coulson argues that Bowen's novels are a critique of the social and political structures that perpetuate inequality and oppression. He points to the way in which Bowen's characters are often marginalized and excluded from the mainstream of society, and the way in which they are forced to navigate a complex and often hostile social landscape.

Coulson's analysis of Bowen's fiction is informed by a psychoanalytic perspective. He argues that Bowen's characters are often driven by unconscious desires and fears, and that their behavior is often shaped by their past experiences and relationships. He also argues that Bowen's characters are often in conflict with themselves, and that this conflict is a central theme in her fiction.

One of the strengths of Coulson's analysis is his ability to bring together a wide range of literary and cultural sources to support his argument. He draws on a wide range of literary criticism, including feminist theory, queer theory, and postcolonial theory, to support his interpretation of Bowen's work. He also draws on a wide range of cultural sources, including film, music, and literature, to support his interpretation of Bowen's characters and their experiences.

However, Coulson's analysis also has some limitations. One of the main criticisms of his book is that it can be difficult to follow at times. Coulson's writing style is dense and complex, and he often uses a lot of literary and cultural references that may be unfamiliar to readers. This can make it difficult for readers to engage with his analysis, and may lead to some confusion.

Another limitation of Coulson's analysis is that it can be difficult to apply his interpretation to other works of literature. While Coulson's analysis of Bowen's fiction is insightful and original, it may not be applicable to other works of literature that are not as closely related to Bowen's work. This can limit the usefulness of his book for readers who are interested in exploring other literary genres or periods.

Despite these limitations, Coulson's analysis of Bowen's fiction is a valuable contribution to the field of literary criticism. His book provides a new account of Bowen's fiction that highlights the force and originality of her virtually psychoanalytic thinking about development, sexuality, and gender. His analysis is informed by a wide range of literary and cultural sources, and his writing style is engaging and accessible.

In conclusion, Coulson's analysis of Elizabeth Bowen's fiction is a substantial, in-depth, and distinctive interpretation of her novels and short stories. His book provides a new account of Bowen's fiction that highlights the force and originality of her virtually psychoanalytic thinking about development, sexuality, and gender. While his analysis has some limitations, it is a valuable contribution to the field of literary criticism. Readers who are interested in exploring Bowen's work or in exploring other literary genres or periods will find Coulson's book to be a valuable resource.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 145 x 222 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474480499