The Meanings Of Interpreting The Characters Of Darkness Visible Under The Framework Of Jung’s Theory Of The Collective Unconscious

Darkness Visible which published in1979was an important novel written byWilliam Golding after his ten years period of dormancy. Darkness Visible expresses theevil thinking of human nature based on the modern character images and events whichcombines with religious mysticism of certain forms and this evil possesses a destructiveforce. My thesis is according to Jung’s collective unconscious concepts and core contentto interpret dialectically and comprehensively characters of Darkness Visible. Mydissertation is not only excavating inherent evil of human nature, but also can promotethe kindness of human nature.My thesis is divided into five chapters except introduction and conclusion.The first part introduces William Golding and his works, the second part introducesDarkness Visible, at last states domestic and foreign research status and the generaloutline of the thesis.The first chapter makes an introduction of Jung’s Theory of the CollectiveUnconscious. To start with, the first point is the background of the formation of Jung’stheory of collective unconscious, there are five parts consist of the background of Jung’stheory of collective unconscious, there are include Freud’s psychoanalysis, socialbackground, science and philosophy background, personal factors, occupational factors.The second is contents of Jung’s theory of collective unconscious, which consists of theself archetype, shadow archetype and persona archetype. The three archetypes of Jung’stheory of collective unconscious make a basis for the following analysis in thesis.Chapter Two is the analysis of hero Matty with the self and shadow archetypes.When Matty starts to set foot on wandering stage, he is likely to possess the selfarchetype. After Matty’s self-imposed exile, he endures a series of hit and sufferingfrom the secular world, on the basis of self-knowledge, he tries to pursue the essence oflife and meaning. At last he has completed the expiation because he rescues thekidnapped boy, therefore he dedicates to the fire and he melts into the golden light afterdeath, as a result, he saves Mr. Pedigree struggling of in the lust, from the salvation tothe newborn. So Matty’s personality of Superego has realized and sublimed in the end.Chapter Three states the effects of the shadow archetype on heroine Sophy and Toni. Golding’s Darkness Visible is different from his early novels, it is not onlydescribes the dark side of human nature, but also more concerns on Sophy sisters’change process of psychological growth from the young to the adult. What’s more, tofurther explore the psychology causes of dark side. So it can make readers clearly seethe psychological development of Sophy sisters. Darkness Visible is different from hisearly novels, Golding is no longer regards the devil as transcendental human nature,while it is considered as a complex process of the formation of the humanity andpersonality. The shadow archetype rules Sophy and Toni’s life in Darkness Visible.Chapter Four is the analysis of ordinary characters with the persona archetype.While minor figures of the novel represent the ordinary characters, most of them in thedark too vulgar to be endured, they live without any aim. Even if they lack of Sophy’sextreme evil and Matty’s extreme kind, they have kind and evil of different levels. Theydon’t have any spiritual pursuit. In addition, they hold a numb attitude towards lifeevery day. They adapt to the needs of realistic society under the influence of the personaarchetype.Chapter Five is the meaning of interpreting characters of Darkness Visible underthe framework of Jung’s collective unconscious.The last section is the conclusion of the thesis. Through the specific analysis I hopethat readers will abandon the traditional concept of good and evil and re-examineGolding’s view on human nature. As a result, we can appreciate Darkness Visible from anew and dialectical angle.