Stefan Zweig: Psychoanalysis and Literary Narrative

Authors

  • Gustavo Giovannini Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Keywords:

Austrian literature, twentieth century, psychoanalysis, novel

Abstract

This article focuses on the approach that the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) had to the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), as well as some repercussions of this relationship on his narrative production. In 1932, Zweig published Die Heilung durch den Geist, a biographical essay whose central figure was Freud and his psychoanalytic theory. Some of Zweig's criticisms of the praxis of psychoanalysis generated controversy. However, Zweig's interest in Freudian theory was essentially aesthetic, as evidenced by the incorporation of certain psychoanalytic ideas into his narrative works. From this perspective, three novels by the Austrian author are analyzed: Der Amokläufer (1922), Verwirrung der Gefühle (1927) and Schachnovelle (1942). Zweig, even with his qualms about Freudian theory, took from it fundamental resources for his narrative work both in terms of thematic development and in terms of formality.

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References

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Published

2023-12-23

How to Cite

Giovannini, G. (2023). Stefan Zweig: Psychoanalysis and Literary Narrative. Revista De Culturas Y Literaturas Comparadas, 14. Retrieved from https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/CultyLit/article/view/43910