Exploring Jacques Lacan's Concept of the Unconscious and the Real

This research traces the development of psychoanalytical criticism from its roots in Sigmund Freud's theories to its expansion by Jacques Lacan. Freud's work, primarily “The Interpretation of Dreams,” introduced the concept of the “unconscious” as a key to understanding human behavior and desires. Lacan extended this by linking the unconscious to language and social structures. He shifted the focus from ego-driven impulses to the relationship between a child and its influential figures, notably the mother, in shaping identity. The abstract also situates psychoanalytical criticism within a broader historical context, noting its antecedents in Aristotle and other scholars. The study aims to delve into Lacan's contributions, particularly his ideas on the “unconscious” and the “Real.”