When I was studying child psychology, I came across many
theories that S.Freud proposed. At the same time while exploring further, I got
introduced to Oedipus and Electra complex. Which was very disturbing to even
believe, but still remains true and very much justified by N number of
psychologists. Let me give you some insight on the definition to these
complex...complexes!
The term Oedipus complex (or, less
commonly, Oedipal complex) explains the emotions and ideas that the
mind keeps in the unconscious, via dynamic repression, that
concentrates upon a child's desire to have sexual relations with the
parent of the opposite sex (i.e. males attracted to their mothers, and females
attracted to their fathers). Sigmund Freud, who coined the term
"Oedipus complex" believed that the Oedipus complex is a desire for
the parent in both males and females; Freud deprecated the term "Electra
complex", which was introduced by Carl Gustav Jung in regard to
the Oedipus complex manifested in young girls.
In classical Freudian psychoanalytic theory, a child's
identification with the same-sex parent is the successful resolution of the
Oedipus complex and of the Electra complex. This is a key psychological
experience that is necessary for the development of a mature sexual
role and identity. Sigmund Freud further proposed that boys
and girls experience the complexes differently: boys in a form
of castration anxiety, girls in a form of penis envy; and that
unsuccessful resolution of the complexes might lead
to neurosis, pedophilia, and homosexuality. Men and women who
are fixated in the
Oedipal and Electra stages of their psychosexual development might be
considered "mother-fixated" and "father-fixated". In adult
life this can lead to a choice of a sexual partner who resembles one's parent.
In Neo-Freudian psychology, the Electra
complex, as proposed by Carl Gustav Jung, is a
girl's psychosexual competition with her mother for possession of her
father.
S. Freud proposed that having an Oedipus or an Electra complex underlines a
boys/girls beginning of being homosexual. He was such a brilliant psychoanalyst
having such a big family. Like there is a saying in hindi "Dhobhi ke kapde
gande". Freud had so many characters in his own house who became subjects
of his psychoanalysis unknowingly whom he could not cure. He lived with his
wife, Tante Minna and 6 children. He was rumored to have a secret affair with
Tante Minna who was his sister in law. Out of the 6 children he had, he was a
father to both Oedipus and Electra complex-ed son and a daughter. That is where
I started reading 'Hysterical' Anna Freud's story who was S.Freud's daughter
and closest psychoanalyst buddy.
Anna Freud followed the path of her father and contributed
to the field of psychoanalysis. She had a comparatively unhappy
childhood, in which she 'never made a close or pleasurable relationship with
her mother, and was really nurtured by their Catholic nurse
Josephine'. She had difficulties getting along with her siblings,
specifically with her sister Sophie Freud. Sophie, who was the more attractive
child, represented a threat in the struggle for the affection of their father:
'the two young Freuds developed their version of a common sisterly division of
territories: "beauty" and "brains"', and their father
once spoke of her 'age-old jealousy of Sophie'.
Anna was Freud's only daughter who followed and continued
learning from his psychoanalysis. She was very young when she started
participating in sessions where S.Freud analysed his patients. While was still
very young, she started masturbating and understanding that her sexual
orientation was perhaps misplaced. It took a very long time for her to discuss
the same with her Father. Freud was devastated to learn of his own daughter as
a lesbian. In the mean time, some situations clearly even pointed out that his
Son Oliver was a case of Oedipus Complex. The book hysterical gives some
beautiful acumen for people who like to tunnel into psychology. I am drawing
those below just out of my appreciation for what and how he explained things
that was so tangled to understand.
1> What is Den of Inequity? I asked Papa. Papa explained it
is a place where people feel free to behave more colorfully than they might
otherwise. It was actually the room where he interrogated his patients and his
patients felt free to open up with their otherwise unknown/unspoken truth or
personalities. His patients would rather act or behave different when he was
not around them or were not in his room where he was in session with them.
2>There was very elaborate discussion on Hysteria. Hysteria
can be defined as a state of extreme upset furthermore exaggerated or
uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people.
S.Freud professed "Behind every strong fear is an intense, infantile
wish". It is caused by sexual trauma, and a little sexual trauma is what
women want he believed.
3>While explaining about his life to one of his Doctor
associates he quoted as below:
Before I go, I would like to leave you with a little joke. It
will soothe your psyches as well as be instructive in helping you understand
how difficult it is for us to fathom our sexualities.
"One day The Lord came unto Adam", Papa began, and I
heard the people around me begin to laugh nervously in anticipation. "The
Lord said unto Adam", I have some good news and some bad news for you.'
Adam said,"Lord give me the good news first".
The Lord said ," I ve got two new organs for you. One
is called a brain. It will allow you to create the wheel and fire, live
longer than you might otherwise, and have intelligent conversations with Eve.
The other organ is called a penis. It will give you both great physical
pleasure and will give Eve many babies. Eve will be very happy about your
penis."
"Adam was ecstatic.'Lord these are great gifts you have
given unto me! What could possibly be bad news after such glad tidings?"
"The Lord looked upon Adam and said unto him with sorrow,'
You will never be able to use these two gifts at the same time."
4> There was a very close attempt by his son Oliver(Oedipus),
he tried killing S. Freud, and at the same time Anna (Electra) almost played on
life and death to save her Father and keep him alive.
5> S. Freud's last days after a very long illness from
jaw cancer, Anna was given power of authority to decide when was his time
to be set free. They saw him in immense pain and decided he should not be
troubled anymore and increased his dosage for morphine and the second day he
slept endlessly. She was brave enough to pull the plug on her father and set
him free.
Reading through this book sometimes gave me jitters, sometimes I
thought, I just can't possibly read this, but then I read it again until things
made sense to me. S. Freud confessed of hideous crimes of his younger times and
Anna being an off shoot of his psycho energy forgave him and understood his
position and his position now when he was such a big name and reputation. She
was a loving daughter and follower of him, despite of him not being supportive
of her homosexuality. He almost stopped interacting with her because of her
condition and worried about what will people say. Even a man of his caliber and
knowledge thought of what others would think! No matter how learned you are and
have degrees in education, everything comes down to how do you perceive things
in your mind. All the wisdom and knowledge goes bouncers and you are pulled
down with what eventually weigh down your mind and thoughts. I would recommend
for you to read this book only if you have openness to various sexuality and
accept things as black and white.
