A Jungian Analysis of Ursula Hegi’s Stones from the River
“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.” - C.G. Jung. Carl Jung’s theories are profoundly influential to modern psychiatry; they allow us to analyze stories, characters, and writings from the innermost layer. Although Carl Jung did extensive research on the human psyche, perhaps some of his most interesting theories were on the nature of how human beings write and tell stories, particularly on the basic components of characters and their archetypes; two of Jung’s quintessential archetypes were the Anima: representing the feminine part of one’s persona, and the Animus: representing the masculine part. Trudi Montag, the protagonist …show more content…
Trudi Montag exhibits qualities that are traditionally associated with men, aggression and intrusiveness. Several times, Trudi describes a rage within herself, an untamed, primal rage that overwhelms her ability to perceive logically; it motivates her to seek revenge and sometimes to push others away. “... she’d stand outside the circle, feeling a fury gather itself within her, a fury that would drive bright tears to her eyes and make her want to hurt those girls.” (p. 92) This aggression is only described in two characters, Trudi and Hans Jürgen. Both characters act on this feeling differently: Trudi, discretely and Hans, blatantly. Trudi’s feelings of rage, even if they are not necessarily anger, are cathartic and provide a sense of relief for readers; however they are discouraged by her peers and teachers. “Pushiness, will make your life difficult.” Her teacher, Sister Mathilde warned. Look at the other girls, they don’t just barge right in with the answers, they wait until I call on them [...] Trudi did look at the other girls, and what she saw made her uneasy. They keep silent even if they knew the answers, while the boys raised their hands, demanding to be
“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.” - C.G. Jung. Carl Jung’s theories are profoundly influential to modern psychiatry; they allow us to analyze stories, characters, and writings from the innermost layer. Although Carl Jung did extensive research on the human psyche, perhaps some of his most interesting theories were on the nature of how human beings write and tell stories, particularly on the basic components of characters and their archetypes; two of Jung’s quintessential archetypes were the Anima: representing the feminine part of one’s persona, and the Animus: representing the masculine part. Trudi Montag, the protagonist …show more content…
Trudi Montag exhibits qualities that are traditionally associated with men, aggression and intrusiveness. Several times, Trudi describes a rage within herself, an untamed, primal rage that overwhelms her ability to perceive logically; it motivates her to seek revenge and sometimes to push others away. “... she’d stand outside the circle, feeling a fury gather itself within her, a fury that would drive bright tears to her eyes and make her want to hurt those girls.” (p. 92) This aggression is only described in two characters, Trudi and Hans Jürgen. Both characters act on this feeling differently: Trudi, discretely and Hans, blatantly. Trudi’s feelings of rage, even if they are not necessarily anger, are cathartic and provide a sense of relief for readers; however they are discouraged by her peers and teachers. “Pushiness, will make your life difficult.” Her teacher, Sister Mathilde warned. Look at the other girls, they don’t just barge right in with the answers, they wait until I call on them [...] Trudi did look at the other girls, and what she saw made her uneasy. They keep silent even if they knew the answers, while the boys raised their hands, demanding to be