CITE: Rank, O. The Incest Theme in Literature and Legend. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. 1932
SUMMARY
In this book, Otto Rank explores the theme of incest in literature and legend, using a psychoanalytic approach to uncover the psychological significance of this taboo topic.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rank argues that the theme of incest represents a fundamental human desire for unity and wholeness, and that it is therefore a universal motif in myth and literature.
- He suggests that the taboo against incest is a product of social and cultural forces, rather than a natural aversion.
- Rank’s ideas about the psychology of incest have been influential in psychoanalytic theory and the study of mythology.
SELECTED QUOTES
- “The incest theme is an expression of the human desire for wholeness and unity.” (p. 10)
- “The taboo against incest is a product of social and cultural forces, rather than a natural aversion.” (p. 45)
- “The incest theme reveals the human psyche’s yearning for an ideal, complete, self-sufficient, and uninterrupted life.” (p. 79)
