Phallic in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Phallic

The term “phallic” derives its etymology from the ancient Greek word “phallos.” It referred to a representation of the male genitalia, specifically, the erect penis. In ancient Greece, phallic symbols and images were commonly used in religious and cultural contexts to symbolize fertility, masculinity, and the generative power of nature.

With time, phallic evolved into a range of meanings beyond its literal representation of male anatomy. In contemporary academic discourse, “phallic” often occurs metaphorically to connote ideas related to masculinity, power, dominance, and sexual symbolism.

It is frequently utilized in fields such as psychology, literature, and gender studies to explore themes of sexuality, gender roles, and the dynamics of power within various cultural and societal contexts.

Meanings of Phallic

Aspect	Key Meanings and Interpretations
Sexual Symbolism	– Represents Male Genitalia: In literature, it describes symbols representing the male genitalia, particularly the erect penis. They signify sexual desire, potency, and virility.
Masculinity and Power	– Symbolizes Male Dominance: Phallic symbols explore themes of masculinity and power dynamics, symbolizing male dominance, authority, and control within a narrative or text.
Freudian Analysis	– Linked to Oedipus Complex: In Freudian analysis, this symbol is central. It’s associated with the Oedipus complex, representing the male child’s desire for the mother and rivalry with the father.
Gender and Identity	– Deconstructs Gender Roles: Its symbolism deconstructs traditional gender roles and examines how societal norms shape characters’ behavior, prompting discussions about gender identity.
Subversion and Critique	– Challenges Masculinity Norms: Authors use its symbols to subvert or critique traditional masculinity norms, challenging established power structures and cultural norms.
Psychoanalysis and Literature	– Analyzes Psychological Significance: In psychoanalytic literary theory, its symbols are analyzed for their psychological and symbolic significance, delving into characters’ unconscious desires and fears.
Gender Studies	– Feminist Perspective: In gender studies and feminist literary theory, phallic symbols are scrutinized for their role in reinforcing or challenging patriarchy and traditional gender hierarchies, exploring how they can be subverted or reclaimed by female authors.

Definition of Phallic as a Theoretical Term

Phallic, as a theoretical term, refers to symbols, imagery, or motifs within literature and cultural discourse that symbolically represent the male genitalia, particularly the erect penis. These symbols are often laden with connotations related to sexuality, masculinity, and power dynamics.

In literary and cultural analysis, it occurs to explore themes of sexual desire, dominance, and the influence of gender norms on narratives and societal structures.

Phallic: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Key Theorists:

• Sigmund Freud: Freud’s psychoanalytic theory introduced the concept of the phallic stage in psychosexual development, which has influenced discussions of phallic symbolism in literature.
• Jacques Lacan: Lacan, a French psychoanalyst, expanded on Freud’s ideas and introduced the concept of the phallus as a symbolic signifier in language and desire.

Key Works:

• The Interpretation of Dreams (1899) by Sigmund Freud: Freud’s seminal work laid the groundwork for understanding the role of the phallic stage in human development and its implications for literature.
• The Language of the Self: The Function of Language in Psychoanalysis (1968) by Jacques Lacan: In this work, Lacan delves into the concept of the phallus as a symbol of desire and linguistic signification.

Arguments and Key Concepts:

• Phallic Stage: Freud’s theory posits that during the stage of psychosexual development, children develop a strong attachment to their genitalia and begin to understand gender differences.
• Oedipus Complex: Freud argues that during the phallic stage, children experience the Oedipus complex, where a son desires his mother and views his father as a rival.
• Symbolic Significance: Both Freud and Lacan emphasize the symbolic significance of the phallus, representing not just male genitalia but also desire, power, and lack within the realm of language and culture.
• Gender and Identity: The theorists’ works have been applied to analyze how phallic symbolism in literature reflects and shapes gender roles, identity, and power dynamics.
• Language and Desire: Lacan’s concept of the phallus as a linguistic signifier has led to discussions of how language constructs and mediates desire in literature and culture.

Phallic symbolism, as explored by Freud and Lacan, plays a pivotal role in psychoanalytic and linguistic analyses of literature, offering insights into the complexities of human desire, gender, and language.

Phallic and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance to Phallic Symbolism
Psychoanalytic Literary Theory	– Explanation: Psychoanalytic literary theory explores the psychological dimensions of literature, drawing from Freud’s concept of the Oedipus complex and the phallic stage of development. Phallic symbolism is highly relevant as it helps analyze characters’ desires, relationships with parents, and gender roles in literature. It delves into the subconscious elements of literature and their representation through symbols.
Feminist Literary Theory	– Explanation: Feminist literary theory examines gender and power dynamics in literature. Phallic symbolism is relevant as it often embodies patriarchal ideologies and masculine dominance. It allows feminists to scrutinize how such symbols reinforce traditional gender hierarchies and oppressive structures, as well as how female authors may subvert or reclaim these symbols to challenge norms and highlight issues of agency and identity.
Gender and Queer Theory	– Explanation: Gender and queer theories explore gender identity, sexuality, and sexual identity in literature. Phallic symbols can be examined in queer readings to understand their interaction with non-binary or LGBTQ+ identities in literature. This analysis investigates how phallic symbols intersect with normative notions of sexuality and gender and their relevance to queer desires and identities.
Marxist Literary Theory	– Explanation: While phallic symbolism is not central to Marxism, it may be relevant in discussions of power dynamics, particularly regarding class and gender. Phallic symbols can symbolize not only sexual potency but also forms of social power and dominance. Marxist analysis can examine how the use of phallic symbolism in literature reflects or critiques class-based hierarchies and exploitation.

Phallic in Literary Criticism

1. In John Cheever’s short story “The Swimmer,” the swimming pool becomes a recurring phallic symbol. The protagonist, Neddy Merrill, embarks on a journey through his suburban neighborhood by swimming from pool to pool, symbolizing his desire for escape and renewal. As he progresses, the pools represent his pursuit of youth, potency, and a sense of masculinity. However, as the story unfolds, the pools also become symbols of his descent into existential crisis and loss of virility, reflecting the complexities of midlife masculinity.
2. T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land” contains several references to phallic symbolism, often associated with themes of impotence and spiritual decay. For instance, the poem includes the image of the “fishing with a small green worm” in a river, which can be interpreted as a phallic symbol and a commentary on modern society’s loss of vitality. While this poem is not recent, its enduring influence on modern literature makes it worth mentioning.
3. by Han Kang (2007, English translation 2015): In Han Kang’s novel The Vegetarian, the character Yeong-hye’s decision to become a vegetarian becomes a powerful symbol of resistance against societal norms and expectations. The act of refusing to consume meat can be seen as a form of rejecting traditional gender roles and power structures. As the story unfolds, it explores the consequences of this decision and the impact it has on her identity and relationships, touching on themes of desire and control.

Suggested Readings

1. Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretation of Dreams. Translated by James Strachey, Basic Books, 2010.
2. Lacan, Jacques. The Language of the Self: The Function of Language in Psychoanalysis. Translated by Anthony Wilden, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
3. Han Kang. The Vegetarian. Translated by Deborah Smith, Hogarth, 2015.
4. Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. Penguin Classics, 2003.
5. Perkins Gilman, Charlotte. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” In The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories, edited by Robert Shulman, Dover Publications, 1997, pp. 1-19.
6. Williams, Raymond. Marxism and Literature. Oxford University Press, 1977.
7. Cheever, John. “The Swimmer.” In The Stories of John Cheever, Vintage, 2003, pp. 421-436.
8. Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land. W. W. Norton & Company, 2012.