As the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century. Although many of his claims and theories are still hotly debated, for decades his ideas dominated writers and thinkers around the world – and they continue to exert a major influence on how we view ourselves and our society. In this episode, we look at Freud’s life and some of his most famous works, setting the stage for an analysis of Freud’s impact on literature.

Additional listening ideas:

• Episode 112 – The Novelist and the Witch-Doctor: Unpacking Nabokov’s Case Against Freud (with Joshua Ferris)
• Episode 164 – Karl Marx
• Episode 174 – The Oedipus Trilogy (with Bryan Doerries)