An Interpretation Of Conflict In Runaway From The Perspective Of Neurotic Theory

Alice Munro was a famous Canadian contemporary female writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013.Munro was adept at delicately describing the fate of ordinary women in the small town from the female perspective,endowing each female character with unique personality and distinct characteristics.Her collection of short stories,Runaway,was an instant hit and went on to win the 2004 Canadian Giller Prize,the 2009 Man Booker International Prize and the New York Times Book of the Year in 2004.The book contains a total of eight stories,of which “Chance,” “Hurry” and “Silence” are based on the same protagonist Juliet,telling the ups and downs of Juliet’s life.From the perspective of neurotic theory,this thesis takes “Chance,” “Hurry” and “Silence” in Runaway as the research object,analyzing the manifestation forms of neurotic conflicts of Juliet,the causes behind those conflicts and the ways to solve the conflicts,and explores the complex inner world of Juliet.This thesis consists of three parts: the introduction,the main body and the conclusion.The introduction includes a brief comment on Alice Munro and her work Runaway,a literary review of relevant research at home and abroad and the thesis statement.The first chapter of the main body is the theoretical basis,introducing the development of Karen Horney’s Neurotic Theory and the basic conflicts in this theory.The second chapter explains the manifestations of Juliet’s neurotic conflicts,including the specific manifestations of Juliet’s closeness to people,her alienation from people and the resistance to people,focusing on her neurotic needs for love and companionship.The third chapter analyzes the causes of Juliet’s neurotic conflicts.Horney regards basic conflict as the dynamic structure of neurosis,which is caused by social and cultural contradictions and personal growth environment.Therefore,the disharmonious individual growth circumstances and the specific cultural environment are important reasons for the basic neurotic conflicts of Juliet.The fourth chapter explores Juliet’s resolutions of her own neurotic conflicts,emphasizing the influence of environmental and cultural factors on her psychological development.Juliet attempts to conduct self-analysis and decides to face the real thoughts in her inner world directly,so as to bravely face dilemmas in her life and finally solve the neurotic conflicts.The conclusion summarizes the whole thesis,points out the shortcomings,and puts forward some suggestions for future research.Through the analysis of Juliet’s neurotic conflicts,this thesis tries to provide a vivid neurotic case,which can help people face confusion and anxiety in modern society,and solve various psychological conflicts more flexibly,so as to provide enlightenment for modern people to better fight against psychological problems.