From Repression to Death: A Psychoanalytic Reading of Lisa See's Peony in Love

Abstract

This project explores the inner psyche, desires, feelings and passion of Peony in Lisa See’s Peony in Love. Peony’s father’s conscious slapping on Peony’s thigh as if he is unknown about the matter reveals his desire for touch of the female body, which to extent reveals an erotic design. Peony’s mother’s hatred of her daughter is the result of a homophobic repulsion, the two being of the same gender. Peony’s much beatific nature opens the secret of jealousy that she had had from others. Her regular prayers and search for her husband’s love even after her own death reveals that this novel revolves round the psychic experiences of her life even after her death. The symbols she uses for expressing her feelings indicate that this novel is framed on the exposition of subtle psychological realities Peony, who finds no outlet for her repressed emotions, and consequently displays abnormalities that ultimately lead her to death.