Abstract: One of the modern extra-linguistic theories of literature is the Psychoanalytical Criticism. The relationship of psychoanalysis to literature has undergone many changes from Freud to modern psychoanalysts like Norman Holland and Jacques Lacan. This paper looks at the application of psychoanalysis to The Asylum by Ahmed Parker Yerima, a playwright who was a former Director of the Nigerian National Troupe and one of the second generations of Nigerian playwrights. The paper starts by taking an exploration into the application of psychoanalysis from the time of Freud to the modern psychoanalysts. Next, the paper looks at the theme of detention and its effects on detainees as well as the author. The paper then concludes that the play is a study in psychoanalysis as Yerima’s condemnation of the penchant for unjust detention in many African states, especially Nigeria, is a means of externalizing his innermost feelings. This lends credence to the psychoanalytical belief that the creative work is the author’s dream while the author is the main character.
Keywords: Psychoanalytical Study, Nigerian National Troupe, Yerima’s The Asylum.
Title: State Induced Insanity: A Psychoanalytical Study of Yerima’s The Asylum
Author: Ajimuda, Olufunso Stephen (Ph.D), Ijadimine, Olamide
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Research Publish Journals
