Escapable Nature of human desire in Edward St. Aubyn's Some Hope and Mother's Milk

Abstract

This research explores the “Escapable Nature of Human Desire”which ultimately results into the cause of human downfall. This study examines the novels from the perspective of psychoanalysis in general and Freudian concepts of eros, thanatos and obsession, and Lacanian concept of desire as chain of signifiers in particular. An individual family and society gets affected. To prove into that fact, it studies the psyche and behavior of Patrick, Mary and Eleanor who are the aristocratic Melrose family. They are the major characters of St. Aubyn's Some Hope and Mother's Milk. Aubyn's above mentioned major characters have different desires and they try to achieve such desire. They obsessively run after their desires. As a consequence, there appears conflict in the family which invites downfall in the family as well as in the individual. Patrick wants to be materially prosperous and sexually satisfied sleeping with his wife. But Eleanor and Mary become obstruction for his desire. Mary is preoccupied with maternal feelings. She wants to be good mother. She confines herself in the childcare activities, and she ignores Patrick. Like his mother Eleanor at her old age wants to involve in religious and social work by donating family property of Sant Nazarie to the foundation. They have different desires but they cannot achieve because desires are the subjects to change.