George Willard and the Talking Cure
According to Freudian psychology, there are only two ways to release repressed memories from the subconscious -- free association and dream analysis. Free association is a psychoanalytic technique in which the patient is allowed to say whatever comes to mind in an effort to understand the problems that they are experiencing in their subconscious. Dream analysis is another psychoanalytic technique where the patient talks about their dreams so that the psychologist can identify symbolic elements that represent problems within the subconscious.
Both of these methods require the patient to talk to the psychologist and reveal their personal thoughts and emotions. Psychologists are able to draw out this information with their years of experience in dealing with people. Much like psychologists, journalists also try to extract personal information from people. In Winesburg, Ohio, George Willard acts as a psychologist by drawing out repressed feelings from people's subconsciouses.
In Hands, Wing Biddlebaum is an outcast with something to hide. He displays his inner conflict through dissociation. His hands move uncontrollably, as if they have a mind of their own. Nobody tries to get to know Wing until he meets George Willard. George speaks to Wing in a way that forces him to recall his repressed thoughts. He reveals his experience as a teacher in Pennsylvania and how he was accused of touching his students inappropriately. By talking about these issues, he starts to become better. He begins to regain control of his hands, but snaps out of it and begins to displace his trauma by hitting his hands against a fence post.
Despite his failure, George Willard helps Wing towards overcoming his problems. In a seemingly simple interview, he is able to draw out the traumatic events that affect Wing and address them in a positive way. George Willard acts as a psychologist and his interview is his way of using free association to treat Wing Biddlebaum.
This is a very strong connection to Freudian theory that we did not explore in class. George Willard does indeed act as a psychologist aiding Wing with the talking cure, as Wing began to show the caring, loving person that he was before the incident when he talked to George. It is also written that his voice changed to that of a more assertive person when he talked with George, further supporting that Wing was cured to an extent by talking. This is an interesting topic and very good food for thought; perhaps this is George Willard's redemptive attribute as a grotesque (given the story Nobody Knows)?
ReplyDeleteYou touched on some very important ideas that we discussed in class, but also took it a step further and presented a very strong connection that was not brought up in class. I definetly agree with you that Willard's talking to Wing did serve a pyscological purpose and Wing was able to come out and talk about his past. Im not sure I agree that willard truly helped wing get over his trama. At first it was certainly helpful but as soon as wing caught himself and snapped back, I feel as if he went right back to his old self.
ReplyDeleteI had never connected the roles of journalist and psychologist before, but George serves as both in the story. Anderson does not make George a mere observer in the stories, like a journalist would be, but, instead, has George interact more deeply with his subjects, like a psychologist would. I agree with the other comments about George's conversation serving as a tool of healing for Wing and I imagine that it has a similar effect in future stories.
ReplyDeleteI had never connected the roles of journalist and psychologist before, but George serves as both in the story. Anderson does not make George a mere observer in the stories, like a journalist would be, but, instead, has George interact more deeply with his subjects, like a psychologist would. I agree with the other comments about George's conversation serving as a tool of healing for Wing and I imagine that it has a similar effect in future stories.
ReplyDeleteNice observation on the interactions with Wing/Adolf and George. I believe that George Willard is based off of Sherwood himself, and since Anderson is an early adopter of Freud's ideas, it is highly possible that this is intentional. Good for Sherwood for throwing that in there, and good for you for recognizing it.
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