Miss Havisham : Psychoanalysis of a Misanthropic and Psychopathological lover

Abstract

In this research paper I am going to investigate a mysterious character named Miss Havisham from the Novel Great Expectations . When we inquire about someone's mind then it is called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is not only about tracing a mind but also known as a therapeutic approach. Psychoanalysis of a character like Miss Havisham is unique from all kinds of static or maximum round characters . The Novel was written by Charles Dickens in the Victorian period when women were concerned about societal norms, introduced by patriarchy and rarely challenged masculinity which is altered by Miss Havisham in this Novel. So, Miss Havisham breaks the chain of patriarchal dominance. But, her way of revolt against patriarchy transformed into diabolical and eccentric which should not be done. So the research is significant as a woman of the Victorian era will be portrayed as a feminist but mainly as a human hater after having evoluation of mind . Creation of imbalance among a person's ID, Ego and Superego ,diabolical and mad-like behavior or cruelty someone shows can be the result of patriarchal society's effect . Betrayal of Havisham's fiance with her , societal conditions and her dominance like patriarchy, all are closed house , turning on a boy to displace anger and taking legal action against Compeyson to challenge masculinity, makes her different from the Victorian women’s standards. Havisham will be present as deviation from Victorian feminine nature and rebellious against patriarchy but her Misanthropic and diabolical character will be analysed with maximum priority. The gradual downfall of her image from Pip and Estella’s side is truly expected as no-one gets love or respect until he/ she has true love for others. The character is static as a human hater for a long time but dies with full of agony and regret.