Beyond the Pleasure PrincipleBy Sigmund FreudPresented by Julie Nguyen and Jarrod Carter

What’s “Beyond the Pleasure Principle” ?

Essentially, Freud’s theory is this: Once a person experiences a loss or a scarring event, they have a compulsion to repeat a similar action, with a better result. The “death drive” to repeat would continue until we gain control of the situation and return to peace.

ClaimEdna’s “death drive” (Freud) had caused her to repeat the loss of Roberts through various ways. When Robert left for Mexico, Edna had continued doing the things she loved because Robert would have encouraged Edna to do the things she loved. When the novel implies that Robert has rejected Edna at the conclusion, it resulted in a loss of her freedom, and ultimately her life.

Evidence“Robert's going had some way taken the brightness, the color, the meaning out of everything... She sought him everywhere—in others whom she induced to talk about him. She went up in the mornings to Madame Lebrun's room, braving the clatter of the old sewing-machine. She sat there and chatted at intervals as Robert had done.” (Chopin)

ExplanationEdna is attempting to deal with Robert’s loss. She repeats actions that Robert would have done because by doing so, it reminded her of him.

She’s trying to find peace in herself, and live on, but she can’t do that without doing something related to Robert; his absence gave her the new “faded existence” she has (Elaborate).

Evidence“There was no human being whom she wanted near her except Robert… The children appeared before her like antagonists who had overcome her; who had overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul's slavery for the rest of her days. But she knew a way to elude them. She was not thinking of these things when she walked down to the beach” (570 Chopin)

ExplanationThis exemplifies the death drive perfectly for several reasons. ❥ Edna’s suicide is her way of coping with the loss and defeat of society. This was Edna’s way to gain to control of the trauma. ❥ Edna repeats the loss of Robert. Robert leaves her, so she leaves everyone else. ❥ She achieves the peace that she had before birth, by reaching the peace she gains after death.

Discussion Question #1Do you believe in Freud’s theories of the “pleasure principle” and “death drive”? If so, can you think of a time in your own life that you have acted due to the death drive?

Discussion Question #2Can you find any other examples of the “death drive” throughout the Awakening? Can you find any examples of the pleasure principle ( insert example here to clarify what examples are in the article)?

Discussion Question #3How could the method of repeating traumatic experiences be helpful in someone’s life?

Discussion Question #4Do you think that Edna was aware that she repeats these actions to cope with the loss of Robert? Or were her actions done unconsciously?

Conclusion

WIP