1. T. S. Eliot‟s theory of „Depersonalisation‟
& Freud‟s theory of „Neurosis‟
• Paper: Criticism & Literary theory
• Presented by: Poojaba Jadeja
• Roll No. 22
• Year: 2014, semester 2
• Submitted to: Smt. S. B. Guardy Department
of English, Maharaja Krishnkumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University

2. T. S. Eliot’s theory of
‘Depersonalisation’
&
Fraud’s theory of
‘Neurosis’
References: ‘Tradition & individual talent’ by
T. S. Eliot
‘The nature of criticism’ by
Herbert Reed

3. Introduction
„Depersonalisation‟
• T. S. Eliot – critic,
poet
• Theory for poets
• Exemplified theory
with chemical process
„Neurosis‟
• Sigmund Freud –
psychologist
• Theory for all artists
• Exemplified theory
with human
psychology

4. Theory of „Depersonalisation‟
• Continual self-sacrifice, extinction of
personality
• “The more perfect the artist, the more
completely separate in him will be the man
who suffers and the mind which creates”
• Poetry is a medium
• Chemical process
• Poet‟s mind is catalyst
• Like platinum

5. Theory of „Neurosis‟
• Artists are neurotics
• Mental process
• Unfulfilled desires and
feeling of inferiority
• Imagination/ fantasy
• Reveals his neurosis
through art
• Transform himself to his
art

6. Levels of mind
personality
Depersonalisation

7. Depersonalisation - Neurosis
Depersonalize,
escape from
personality
Poetry is
medium, poet‟s
mind is catalyst
Expression of
emotion which
is already in
mind
Neurosis,
unfulfilled
desires,
imaginations
Reveals through
art,
transformation
of imagination
Free from
neurosis,
desires fulfilled

8. Examples
• John Keats‟ „Ode TO
Autumn‟
• S. T. Coleridge‟s
„Kubla Khan‟
• Shakespeare‟s
„Hamlet‟
• Marry Shelley‟s
„Frankenstein‟