Jungian Literary Criticism: The Essential Guide

by Susan Rowland

In Jungian Literary the essential guide, Susan Rowland demonstrates how ideas such as archetypes, the anima and animus, the unconscious and synchronicity can be applied to the analysis of literature. Jung’s emphasis on creativity was central to his own work, and here Rowland illustrates how his concepts can be applied to novels, poetry, myth and epic, allowing a reader to see their personal, psychological and historical contribution.

This multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach challenges the notion that Jungian ideas cannot be applied to literary studies, exploring Jungian themes in canonical texts by authors including Shakespeare, Jane Austen and W. B. Yeats as well as works by twenty-first century writers, such as in digital literary art. Rowland argues that Jung’s works encapsulate realities beyond narrow definitions of what a single academic discipline ought to do, and through using case studies alongside Jung’s work she demonstrates how both disciplines find a home in one another. Interweaving Jungian analysis with literature, Jungian Literary Criticism explores concepts from the shadow to contemporary issues of ecocriticism and climate change in relation to literary works, and emphasises the importance of a reciprocal relationship. Each chapter concludes with key definitions, themes and further reading, and the book encourages the reader to examine how worldviews change when disciplines combine.

The accessible approach of Jungian Literary the essential guide will appeal to academics and students of literary studies, Jungian and post-Jungian studies, literary theory, environmental humanities and ecocentrism. It will also be of interest to Jungian analysts and therapists in training and in practice.

220 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2018

About the author

In middle age I ran away with an American poet to be happy. Now I live on the west coast usa writing cozy-ish murder mysteries with 21st century themes. I aim to explore heroes who are women from the margins.

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I also had a life teaching depth psychology, literature and publishing on Jung, the feminine, creativity and arts-based research.

Reviews

[Edd Simmons]

There’s some Jung in all our reviews 💡🥂⚡️

[Ed Parke]

Very good introduction to Jung in general (for those not steeped in depth psychology) and the hermeneutical currents that emerged out of his psychology. Both a useful summary as well as a prompt to future directions.

[Khyber Daniel]

vital for the technique

Really great introduction summary and examples as t how this technique works. Also developed a poignant world-affecting rationale. Clear and lucid.

[Ray Du]

It's pretty hard to read, but it could be a good reference book.