The topic of this paper is to examine the detective novel City of Glass, published by Paul Auster in 1985, from a psychoanalytical point of view. This analytic approach, combining both detective fiction and psychoanalysis, is more natural than might appear at first glance. After all, the modus operandi of the psychoanalyst and the detective are quite similar. A close contemplation of details, a search for hints and finally a development of a theory that unites the small signs in a big picture are crucial steps in both fields. Sigmund Freud laid out the common importance of details as following:
And if you were a detective engaged in tracing a murder, would you expect to find that the murderer had left his photograph behind at the place of the crime, with his address attached? Or would you not necessarily have to be satisfied with comparatively slight and obscure traces of the person you were in search of? So do not let us underestimate small indications, by their help we may succeed in getting on the track of something bigger.
Furthermore, Freud emphasized how psychoanalysts are practicing a kind of detective-work as well: “We have to uncover psychic material; and in order to do this we have invented a number of detective devices.” Due to those parallels, “psychological studies of mystery and detective narratives have a long and varied history.” Most of these approaches have analyzed traditional detective fiction. Auster’s very untraditional detective novel, however, plays with the conventions of the genre and creates its very own detective universe, a confusing play of constantly changing identities. This universe shows parallels to the world-view of the French psychoanalyst Jaques Lacan, as:
Lacanian psychoanalysis offers a theory of the subject that does without concepts such as unity, origin, continuity. It goes from the assumption of a fundamentally split subject and thus comes up with a model of subjectivity that grounds itself on a constitutive lack rather that wholeness.
These parallels are not a pure coincidence as Auster is familiar with Lacan’s work and quotes themes of Lacanian psychoanalysis. Also, Lacan himself applied his theories to detective fiction, such as The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allen Poe.
In this work, the central question that shall be the focus of investigation is: From a psychoanalytical point of view − how does Paul Auster position his main character Daniel Quinn in the context of traditional detective novels?(...)

Excerpt

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

1 Introduction
2 The Lacanian Triad
- 2.1 The Imaginary
- 2.2 The Symbolic
- 2.3 The Real
3 The Development of Quinn's Character
- 3.1 The Constitution of Quinn's Different Identities
- 3.2 Quinn's Attempt to Live in a Detective World
- 3.3 The Deficiency of the Detective Methods
- 3.4 Quinn's Complete Loss of Self
4 City of Glass in Contrast to Traditional Detective Fiction

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper analyzes Paul Auster's City of Glass through a psychoanalytic lens, specifically utilizing Jacques Lacan's theories. The primary objective is to examine how the protagonist, Daniel Quinn, functions within the framework of traditional detective fiction, considering his psychological development and the novel's subversion of genre conventions.

The application of Lacanian psychoanalysis to detective fiction.
The development of Daniel Quinn's identity and its fragmentation.
The contrast between Quinn's experience and the conventions of traditional detective fiction.
The exploration of Lacan's concepts of the Imaginary, the Symbolic, and the Real within the narrative.
The novel's critique of traditional detective tropes and the construction of identity.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the central argument: a psychoanalytic reading of Paul Auster's City of Glass, comparing the detective's methods to those of a psychoanalyst. The author establishes a parallel between the meticulous detail work of both professions, citing Freud's emphasis on the importance of seemingly insignificant details in uncovering larger truths. The chapter lays the groundwork for applying Lacanian psychoanalysis to analyze Quinn's unstable identity and the novel's unique take on detective fiction. The introduction highlights the unconventional nature of Auster's work in contrast to traditional detective novels and introduces the central research question regarding Quinn's position within the genre.

2 The Lacanian Triad: This chapter introduces Lacan's tripartite model of the psyche: the Imaginary, the Symbolic, and the Real. It explains that these terms don't simply represent imagination, symbolism, and reality, but rather complex psychological registers. The chapter details the Mirror Stage, where the infant's initial fragmented self-perception gives way to a unified image in the mirror, resulting in the formation of the ego (ego-ideal). This process, although creating a sense of wholeness, is also one of alienation, as the infant identifies with an image separate from its physical self. This sets the stage for understanding how these concepts will be applied to Quinn's evolving identity throughout the novel.

3 The Development of Quinn's Character: This chapter delves into the central character's multifaceted identity, tracing his psychological journey. It analyzes Quinn's multiple roles and the disintegration of his sense of self. The chapter explores how Quinn's attempts to operate within the established rules of the detective genre ultimately fail, leading to a complete loss of self. The instability and fragmentation of his identity are explored in relation to the Lacanian framework established in the previous chapter, highlighting the tension between the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real in shaping his experience.

4 City of Glass in Contrast to Traditional Detective Fiction: This chapter compares and contrasts City of Glass with traditional detective fiction. It analyzes how Auster's novel challenges and subverts the conventions of the genre through Quinn's unconventional methods and the blurring of lines between reality and illusion. The chapter explores how Quinn's failure to conform to the traditional detective archetype highlights the limitations and inherent contradictions within the genre itself. The analysis focuses on how the novel's unique structure and narrative voice contribute to its critique of established detective fiction tropes.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Paul Auster, City of Glass, detective fiction, psychoanalysis, Jacques Lacan, Imaginary, Symbolic, Real, identity, fragmentation, self, genre conventions, postmodernism.

Paul Auster's City of Glass: A Psychoanalytic Reading - FAQ

What is the main focus of this academic paper?

This paper offers a psychoanalytic interpretation of Paul Auster's City of Glass, using Jacques Lacan's theories to analyze the protagonist, Daniel Quinn, and his experiences within the framework of detective fiction. It examines Quinn's psychological development and the novel's subversion of genre conventions.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

Key themes include the application of Lacanian psychoanalysis to detective fiction; the fragmentation and development of Daniel Quinn's identity; the contrast between Quinn's experiences and traditional detective fiction conventions; the exploration of Lacan's Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real within the narrative; and the novel's critique of traditional detective tropes and identity construction.

What is the structure of the paper?

The paper is structured into four chapters: an introduction establishing the methodology and research question; a chapter explaining Lacan's concepts of the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real; a chapter analyzing Quinn's character development and psychological disintegration; and a final chapter comparing City of Glass to traditional detective fiction, highlighting its subversion of genre conventions.

How does the paper utilize Lacan's theories?

The paper utilizes Lacan's tripartite model of the psyche (Imaginary, Symbolic, Real) to understand Quinn's identity. The Mirror Stage is discussed to illustrate the formation of the ego and the inherent alienation within this process. These concepts are then applied to analyze Quinn's experiences and the fragmentation of his self throughout the novel.

What is the significance of Daniel Quinn's character?

Quinn's character is central to the analysis. The paper traces his psychological journey, examining his multiple roles and the disintegration of his sense of self. His attempts to operate within the detective genre are shown to fail, ultimately leading to a complete loss of self. His experiences highlight the tensions between the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real.

How does City of Glass challenge traditional detective fiction?

The paper argues that City of Glass subverts traditional detective fiction conventions through Quinn's unconventional methods and the blurring of reality and illusion. Quinn's failure to conform to the traditional detective archetype is analyzed as a critique of the genre's limitations and inherent contradictions.

What are the key takeaways from this analysis?

The paper ultimately provides a nuanced understanding of City of Glass as a postmodern work that challenges traditional genre expectations through a lens of Lacanian psychoanalysis, offering new insights into the novel's themes of identity, fragmentation, and the limitations of established narrative structures.

What are the keywords associated with this paper?