A Psychological Analysis of "Of Mice and Men"

The psychological approach views literature through the lens of psychology. There are multiple approaches to the psychological aspect of literature but the two most recognized are the Freudian and Jungian approach. The best approach to use when critically analyzing the novel Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, is the Jungian approach. Because the novel’s main theme is a struggle with the idea of “self”, using this approach allows the reader to understand the main character, its influences, and ultimately his actions.

The Jungian approach was brought about by Carl Jung. He believed in the concept of individuation. This is the process of discovering what makes a person different form everyone else. The Jungian approach looks at one’s self through three aspects. These three aspects are the shadow, the persona, and the anima. This is said to be seen through the idea of an archetype. Jung’s concept of archetype is viewed through a symbol, character, situation, or image that evokes a deep universal response (Guerin). Archetypal literary criticism construes a text by focusing on recurring myths, prototypes and symbolisms in the narrative.

The novel, Of Mice and Men, is a story of two men by the names of George and Lennie. They are migrant workers new to the California area where they soon are to start work. They have a homogeneous relationship. George is described through the text as a small dark man that has strong features. He is strong-minded and the main character of this novel. Lennie on the on the other hand is described as shapeless. He possesses an incredible strength that George does not have. George is the brains of the operation while Lennie is perceived as the strength behind it all. He is devoted to George and t...

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... The Jungian approach is best when criticizing this novel because it allows the reader to understand the main character and his actions. This approach makes the reader break down the events in the story to lead to the growth of the main character or hero.

Works Cited

Guerin, Wilfred L., et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1992.

Jacoby, Mario. Shame and the Orgins of Self-Esteem: A Jungian Approach. New York: Psychology Press, 1996. Print

Person, Leland. "Steinbeck's Queer Ecology: Sweet Conradship in the Monterey Novels." Steinbeck's Studies 15.1 (2004): 7-21. Print.

"Purdue OWL: Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism ." Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011.

Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.