MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DEATH DRIVE IN SELECTED SHORT STORIES OF EDGAR ALLAN POE: A FREUDIAN PSYCHOANALYTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Edgar Allan Poe is widely acknowledged as a pioneering figure in Gothic and psychological fiction, renowned for his portrayal of madness, violence, guilt, and psychological degeneration. This study examines the manifestations of Sigmund Freud's concept of the Death Drive (Thanatos) in two selected short stories by Poe, namely "The Black Cat" and "The Tell-Tale Heart". Drawing upon Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the research investigates several dimensions of the death drive, including obsession with death, self-destructive tendencies, repetition compulsion, and the destruction of others. Employing a qualitative research design and the method of close textual analysis, the study explores the unconscious motivations and inner conflicts that shape the thoughts and actions of the narrators and characters. The analysis reveals that the characters are driven by powerful psychological impulses that frequently culminate in violence, guilt, remorse, and self-destruction. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that unresolved inner conflicts and disturbed mental states play a crucial role in the progression of the narratives. By integrating psychoanalytic theory with literary analysis, this study provides a deeper understanding of Poe's representation of the human psyche while highlighting the significance of Freudian concepts in the interpretation of Gothic literature. Ultimately, the research contributes to the broader field of psychoanalytic literary criticism by offering a nuanced examination of the death drive in Poe's fiction.