PHAEDRA COMPLEX AND OEDIPUS COMPLEX IN SAMRAT UPADHYAY’S THE CITY SON

Abstract

The research paper attempts to explore the Phaedra complex, a mother’s unrestrained incestuous attachment for her step-son, and Oedipus complex, a son’s clannish fanaticism for his mother or step mother in the unconscious, in Samrat Upadhyay’s novel, The City Son and their consequences in the family and Nepalese society where such complexes are taboos. Through a close reading of the text within the parameters of the Freudian psychoanalytic criticism based chiefly on Phaedra complex and Oedipus complex, the study is an attempt to analyze the psychic motive behind the sexual attraction of the mother, Didi for her step-son, Tarun, also the protagonist of the novel, and Tarun’s emotional, physical affection for his step-mother. The research reveals that it is Didi’s revenging drive for the second marriage of her husband, Masterji that impels her to indulge her incestuous passion with Tarun, and ruin his life disregarding his newlywed wife, Rukma, society and incest taboo, and feelings of other family members.