Double Bind in Literature &  Literary Theory

Double Bind: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Double Bind: Etymology/Term

The term “double bind” originated in the field of family therapy and communication theory. It was introduced by anthropologist Gregory Bateson, psychiatrist R. D. Laing, and their colleagues in the 1950s and 1960s.

Meanings and Concept

Aspect	Description
Definition	A psychological theory describing situations where individuals receive contradictory messages, leaving them in a no-win situation is double bind.
Etymology	“Double bind” reflects the dual, conflicting nature of the messages or demands imposed on the individual.
Communication Theory	Initially applied to family dynamics, the theory explores how conflicting expectations affect communication patterns within interpersonal relationships.
Psychological Impact	Exposure to double binds can lead to stress, confusion, and psychological distress as individuals struggle to navigate contradictory expectations.
Examples	Situations where a person is told to be honest but is then punished for expressing their true feelings serve as classic examples of a double bind.
Extended Applications	The concept has been extended beyond family dynamics to analyze various forms of conflicting expectations in psychology, communication studies, and sociology.

Double Bind: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Double bind is a theoretical term in psychology and communication theory describing a situation where an individual receives conflicting messages or demands, leaving them in a paradoxical dilemma. Coined by Gregory Bateson and R. D. Laing in the 1950s, it refers to the predicament of being caught between contradictory expectations with no clear resolution. The concept highlights the psychological stress and confusion that arise when individuals face irreconcilable choices or expectations.

Double Bind: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Works	Main Arguments
Gregory Bateson	Steps to an Ecology of Mind	Gregory Bateson introduced the concept of the “Double Bind” in his work on communication theory. He described it as a situation where contradictory messages create a no-win scenario, leading to confusion and psychological stress.
R.D. Laing	The Divided Self: An Existential Study in Sanity	R.D. Laing applied the idea of the Double Bind to the field of psychology and psychiatry. He explored how conflicting social messages, especially within families, could contribute to mental illness and schizophrenia.
Don D. Jackson	The Family of Incest	Don D. Jackson collaborated with Bateson and others to develop the Double Bind theory, particularly in relation to family dynamics. He emphasized the role of contradictory messages in shaping interpersonal relationships.
Paul Watzlawick	Pragmatics of Human Communication	Paul Watzlawick worked with Bateson and Jackson to extend the concept of Double Bind in the context of communication patterns. He emphasized its role in interpersonal communication and its impact on mental health.
Bateson, Jackson, Haley, and Weakland	Toward a Theory of Schizophrenia	Bateson, Jackson, Haley, and Weakland collaboratively developed the Double Bind theory, focusing on its implications for understanding schizophrenia. They discussed how contradictory communication within families could contribute to the development of mental illness.
Milton Erickson	My Voice Will Go with You: The Teaching Tales of Milton H. Erickson	Milton Erickson explored therapeutic approaches to resolve Double Bind situations. He applied hypnotherapy and indirect suggestion to help individuals overcome the effects of contradictory messages and find new perspectives.

Double Bind: Key Characteristics

1. Contradictory Messages:
   • Example: In Franz Kafka’s “The Trial,” the protagonist, Josef K., is given conflicting instructions and faced with a legal system that is ambiguous and contradictory, creating a sense of bewilderment and helplessness.
2. No Apparent Resolution:
   • Example: In Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22,” soldiers are caught in a situation where they can only be excused from dangerous missions if they are insane. However, requesting to be excused on grounds of insanity demonstrates rational thinking, creating an irresolvable paradox for the characters.
3. Impossibility of Escape:
   • Example: In George Orwell’s “1984,” the protagonist Winston Smith is subjected to contradictory messages from the Party, making it impossible for him to rebel or escape the oppressive regime. The constant surveillance creates a sense of entrapment.
4. Repercussions for Non-Compliance:
   • Example: In Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” the protagonist, Guy Montag, is torn between society’s expectations and his own growing awareness. If he adheres to the established order, he faces emptiness, but rebelling against it comes with severe consequences.
5. Power Imbalance:
   • Example: In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the protagonist is given conflicting instructions by her husband and the societal expectations of the time. Her lack of agency and the power imbalance exacerbate her mental health struggles.
6. Psychological Impact:
   • Example: In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the narrator is tormented by contradictory feelings of guilt and a desire to confess. The conflicting emotions contribute to his deteriorating mental state.
7. Manipulation and Gaslighting:
   • Example: In Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” the central characters engage in manipulative behavior, creating situations where the truth is obscured. The constant manipulation creates a double bind for other characters and the readers.

Understanding these key characteristics through literary examples helps illuminate the complexity and psychological impact of the this Bind in various contexts. Literary works often provide rich narratives that explore the nuances of conflicting messages and their effects on individuals.

Double Bind: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Double Bind
Psychoanalytic Theory	It is relevant in psychoanalytic theories, especially in exploring the internal conflicts and psychological struggles of characters. It can be used to analyze the impact of conflicting desires and societal expectations on the individual psyche.
Postmodernism	In postmodern literature, it is often employed to deconstruct traditional narratives and challenge fixed meanings. Authors may use conflicting messages to disrupt conventional storytelling, encouraging readers to question established norms and interpretations.
Feminist Theory	Double Binds are relevant in feminist literary theory when examining the constraints imposed on female characters. Conflicting societal expectations and gender roles can create double binds, illustrating the challenges women face in navigating patriarchal structures.
Reader-Response Theory	In reader-response theory, the Double Bind can be explored concerning how readers interpret conflicting textual cues. The ambiguity and contradictions within a narrative can engage readers in active interpretation, leading to diverse and subjective responses.
Structuralism	The Double Bind can be examined in structuralist literary theory to analyze the binary oppositions present in a text. Contradictory messages may disrupt established structural norms, challenging the binary distinctions and revealing the complexity of literary systems.
Narrative Theory	In narrative theory, the Double Bind is relevant for understanding how conflicting messages contribute to plot tension and character development. The unresolved dilemmas can drive the narrative forward, creating suspense and engaging the audience in the storyline.

This table illustrates how the concept of the Double Bind is relevant across various literary theories, providing insights into the complexities of character dynamics, narrative structures, and societal influences within literature. Each literary theory offers a unique lens through which the Double Bind can be analyzed and interpreted in the context of literary works.

Double Bind: Application in Critiques

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger:
   • The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, faces a Double Bind as he grapples with societal expectations and his own desire for authenticity.
   • Holden criticizes the phoniness of the adult world but is simultaneously pressured to conform to societal norms, creating a conflicting message.
   • The tension between Holden’s desire for genuine connection and the societal pressures to conform highlights the Double Bind inherent in adolescence.
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey:
   • The characters in the mental institution are subjected to a Double Bind through the oppressive authority of Nurse Ratched.
   • Patients are told to conform to the rules for the promise of freedom, but any deviation is met with severe consequences, creating a no-win situation.
   • The novel critiques the dehumanizing effects of the Double Bind within institutional structures and explores the struggle for individual autonomy.
3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood:
   • The female characters in Gilead face a Double Bind as they navigate the oppressive regime’s expectations.
   • Women are expected to embrace their assigned roles for survival, yet doing so means accepting a loss of agency and freedom.
   • Atwood’s work critiques the societal Double Bind imposed on women, illustrating the challenges of resistance within a dystopian setting.
4. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka:
   • Gregor Samsa experiences a Double Bind as he transforms into an insect, creating a rift between his human desires and his insectoid reality.
   • His family’s conflicting expectations and disgust towards his transformation create an impossible situation for Gregor.
   • Kafka’s work explores the psychological toll of the Double Bind on an individual and the breakdown of familial relationships under extraordinary circumstances.

These critiques demonstrate how the concept of the Double Bind can be applied to analyze the complexities, conflicts, and societal pressures portrayed in various literary works, offering a deeper understanding of the characters and themes within each narrative.

Double Bind: Relevant Terms

Theoretical Term	Brief Description
Binary Opposition	A structuralist concept involving the pairing of contrasting elements in a text.
Deconstruction	A poststructuralist approach challenging fixed meanings and hierarchies in literature.
Ambiguity	The presence of multiple interpretations or uncertainty in a text’s meaning.
Intertextuality	The interconnectedness of texts, where one text refers to or influences another.
Paradox	A statement or situation that appears contradictory but may reveal deeper truths.
Dystopia	An imagined society characterized by oppressive conditions or a negative utopia.
Othering	The process of portraying individuals or groups as fundamentally different or alien.
Simulacrum	A representation or imitation that replaces the original, often blurring reality.
Spectacle	Involves the presentation of events as a visual or dramatic display, often for impact.
Rhizome	A term associated with postmodernism, describing non-hierarchical, interconnected structures.

Double Bind: Suggested Readings

1. Bateson, Gregory. Steps to an Ecology of Mind. Chandler Publishing, 1972.
2. Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. Simon & Schuster, 1953.
3. Kafka, Franz. The Trial. Schocken Books, 1998.
4. Laing, R.D. The Divided Self: An Existential Study in Sanity. Penguin Books, 1990.
5. Orwell, George. 1984. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1949.
6. Perkins Gilman, Charlotte. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The New England Magazine, 1892.
7. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company, 1951.
8. Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Anchor Books, 1998.
9. Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Penguin Books, 2002.
10. Watzlawick, Paul, Janet Helmick Beavin, and Don D. Jackson. Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes. W. W. Norton & Company, 1967.