Analyzing the two main characters galatea and the sculptor in Madeline miller’s short story galatea: A psychoanalysis approach

Hiba Hashim Jabbar *

T.C. Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University, Department of English Language and Literature, Istanbul, Turkey.
 
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 18(02), 476–483
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.18.2.0819
 
Publication history: 
Received on 31 March 2023; revised on 07 May 2023; accepted on 09 May 2023
 
Abstract: 
The study focuses on Madeline Miller’s short story Galatea. The study analyzes the two main characters in the short story, Galatea and the sculptor. The researcher uses the method of reading and analyzing the literary text Galatea’s short story and applying Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis. The study aims to investigate the impact of the sculptor as a husband on his wife, Galatea. In addition, the impact of working as a sculptor on the sculptor’s behaviours and preferences. The study found that the sculptor has an obsession, mother complex, jealousy, sadism, and criminal character, which affected Galatea’s behaviour for having a phobia, narcissism, masochism, and suicidal character. The study also showed the suffering of Galatea and the violence practised against her by the sculptor, who has the power within the marital relationship. Moreover, the sculptor exerts his power over Galatea to restrict her freedom and to isolate her from society which leads her to flee in search of a new life. In addition, the power of instincts and its impact has an influence on human relationships and decisions.
 
Keywords: 
The sculptor; Galatea; Sigmund Freud; Psychoanalysis; Short story.
 
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