Question

The concept of " the political unconscious ' was advanced by:

• A. Teny Eagleton
• B. Frederic Jameson
• C. Theodore Adorno
• D. Edmond Wilson

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Frederic Jameson

The Political Unconscious: Frederic Jameson

• Concept Origin: The term "political unconscious" was notably advanced by the prominent American literary critic and Marxist theorist, Fredric Jameson.
• Key Work: Jameson articulated this concept most extensively in his seminal 1981 book, The Political Unconscious: Narrative as a Socially Symbolic Act.
• Core Idea: Jameson posits that all literary texts, and indeed all human cultural production, are underpinned by a repressed political dimension. This repressed content forms the "political unconscious."
• Marxist Influence: The concept is deeply rooted in Marxist theory, particularly the idea that societal structures and economic forces (the base) shape consciousness and culture (the superstructure). Jameson extends this to suggest that even when not explicitly stated, the underlying economic and class struggles are present in narratives.
• Narrative as Social Symbolism: For Jameson, narrative is not merely a story but a form of social action and symbolic representation. Texts "imaginatively" resolve or at least confront the contradictions and conflicts inherent in their social and historical contexts.
• Repression and Revelation: The "unconscious" aspect refers to how these political realities are often repressed or disguised within the narrative, yet they continue to exert an influence, shaping the meaning and structure of the text. Jameson's project is to "unmask" these repressed political meanings.
• Ideology and Interpretation: A central aim of analyzing the political unconscious is to reveal the ideological underpinnings of a text. Jameson suggests that interpreting a text involves uncovering its latent political messages, which are often expressions of class conflict and historical imperatives.
• Historical Context is Crucial: Jameson emphasizes that texts must be understood within their specific historical and social circumstances. The "political unconscious" is a product of these material conditions.
• Beyond the Text: The theory moves beyond traditional formalist or New Critical approaches by insisting that literary works are inextricably linked to the historical and social forces that produced them.
• Relevance for Competitive Exams: Understanding Jameson's "political unconscious" is vital for literary theory sections of exams, particularly those focusing on Marxist criticism, post-structuralism, and cultural studies. It provides a framework for analyzing how literature engages with power, ideology, and history.