The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden: Understanding the Wounded Feeling Function in Masculine and Feminine Psychology

by Robert A. Johnson

It is very dangerous when a wound is so common in a culture that hardly anyone knows there is a problem. Such is the case right now with our wounded feeling function- our inability to find joy, worth, and meaning in life. Robert A. Johnson, the celebrated author of 'He, She', and 'We', revisits two medieval tales and illuminates how this feeling function has become a casualty of our modern times. Johnson tells the story of the Wounded Fisher King from the Grail Myth to illustrate the anxiety and loneliness that plague men. From the folktale of the Handless Maiden, he explains the very different frustrations of women and describes how these disparities in the way we suffer account for much of the tension and miscommunication between men and women. His insightful analysis shows that these two stories, created centuries ago, are even more relevant today. Robert A. Johnson, a noted lecturer and Jungian analyst, is also the author of 'He, She, We, Inner Work, Ecstasy, Transformation', and 'Owning Your Own Shadow'.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Mythology, Psychoanalysis, Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Robert A. Johnson is a noted lecturer and Jungian analyst in private practice in San Diego, California. He has studied at the Jung Institute in Switzerland and at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in India.

Reviews

[Camille McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read, for a Jungian psychology book. Usually I have a hard time following Jungian writers because they tend to be a bit vague and use terms that most people wouldn't have heard of before, but this book was surprisingly straightforward and easy to understand. It was also quite short, and I finished it in about 2 hours at the most. It was a very important topic, too - the wounding of the feeling functions in both the masculine and the feminine. In the masculine it destroys creativity and in the feminine it effects ability to do things, and to be competent. In both cases he presents the corresponding myth for that type of wound and explains what it means in psychological terms, and how the resolution comes about to heal these wounds. Well-written and to-the-point. Highly suggested reading for everyone, as it has a lot to say about out culture and society as well as our individual wounds.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Johnson's writing style does not grab me but this book was worth reading. I gleaned a few valuable insights about the wounding - and healing - of the masculine/feminine (such as, healing the masculine (within a man or woman) being about "heroic journey", while healing the feminine (in a man or woman) is about "solitude"). I would recommend it to those who resonate with Jungian conceptualizations and/or who have struggled with some type of gender wounding.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m doing some work with the story of The Handless Maiden and wanted to read Johnson’s insights alongside a reread of the relevant chapter in Estes’ Women Who Run with the Wolves and Gertrude Nelson’s, Here All Dwell Free.

I usually quite like Robert Johnson. His book Inner Work is wonderful for dream amplification, for instance. However, this book was disappointing. Johnson’s treatment of both The Handless Maiden and The Fisher King stories is superficial at best,with frequent repetition of his claim of the wounded feeling function rather than amplification of that claim. Additionally, and disappointingly, Johnson’s retelling of the Handless Maiden story is sparse and by leaving out or being unaware of all kinds of significant details, Johnson’s work with the story is equally limited and uninspiring.

[Robert Windsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Johnson makes my understanding of C.G. Jung so much clearer and my life so much more bearable. I only hope I can impart his wisdom onto others once digested. His dissecting of the two tales in relation to feelings makes so much sense. I am in awe of his wisdom.

[Ann Zakrevskaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully simple and amazingly insightful.

[Mary Overton]

Jungian psychologist Robert A. Johnson explores two wonder tales for how they describe “our wounded feeling function, probably the most common and painful wound which occurs in our Western world.” pg. 3

“The Fisher King,” an Arthurian romance
pg. 34:
“Probably the worst [psychic] pain ever experienced is the self-inflicted suffering that has no cure outside one’s self. … To live in affluence, have everything one ever dreamed of having, success and ownership beyond the kings of earlier times, but to find all of this ashes in one’s mouth is the particular kind of existential suffering that is the lot of modern fisher kings. This is stated eloquently in the symbol of the fisher king being lord of the Grail castle and having the Grail immediately before him — but being unable to touch it.”

pg. 46:
“Carl Jung … said that the meaning of life is to relocate the center of gravity of the personality from the ego to the Self. …
“This requires a Copernican revolution to relocate the center of the universe from the ego to the Self. And that revolution is as painful in our personality as the Copernican revolution was in history.”

“The Handless Maiden,” a fairy tale
pg 56:
“Though much of the story revolves around men, it is not only men but also ‘masculinity’ that is being described as the villain. Certainly, we have a long history of the subjection of women under the domination of men. But the problem is equally difficult in the tyranny that the masculine side of a woman exerts over her often helpless femininity. Marion Woodman once said in one of our joint lectures that the animus in a woman (the masculine component of a woman’s psychology) can be as great a tyrant as any man.”

pg. 69:
“There is nothing wrong with the material dimensions of our mechanical devices …. but a mechanical view of life is wrong and extracts the feeling price. If an excess of ‘things’ in life is eroding away one’s peace, it is the attitude that is wrong, not the things. Trickery as attitude always involves getting something and refusing to pay the human, direct price for it.”

[Jim Angstadt · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden: Understanding the Wounded Feeling Function in Masculine and Feminine Psychology
Robert A. Johnson

The author introduces the psychological significance of the Fisher King tale and the Handless Maiden story. The Fisher King tale illustrates how men have been wounded and are not able to enjoy a full life. This is attributed in part to the scientific and rational viewpoint that currently prevails.

Similarly, women are wounded from society's view of women as second class citizens.

As a stand-alone book, this really does not work. Basing any conclusions on two stories from the ancient past is just not sufficient. There needs to be a lot more evidence, studies, or material to support the wounded feeling theory. Perhaps that support exists in other books by the author. His other titles suggest that is the case. If so, then one should read the other titles and skip this one.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book of Robert Johnson’s - without exception - has made a deep impact on my understanding of self and others. He writes succinct prose that exposes psychological wounds which are ready for healing. Many of his books I’ve read multiple times and each time deeper truths are revealed. I’m so grateful for his writings and for the gentle way his words lead me to a more contented life.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book if you're into mythology, Joseph Campbell, Jung...it was spiritually moving and easy to read.

[Nick Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took so long reading it because I re-read it so many times

[Mina Herz]

Women are ontologically and metaphysically superior to men. I want to go back to this point from a Jewish perspective.

[Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well talk about a God-shot, that was exactly what I needed to learn at I guess the exact time in my life I needed to learn it, thanks for making me a better elder five stars.

[Thang Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

The central question in this book is, "What do the classical tales of the Fisher King and the Handless Maiden pose psychological implications for today's world, and for the gap between masculinity and femininity?". The interpretations of two stories can give you a chill and cold feeling (what else can you expect? the ancient tales tend to be brutal and rough.) The Fisher King story illustrates the complicated inner world of men, where anxiety, dread, loneliness, tend to increase with the level of education and intelligence. The Handless Maiden story illustrates how a deal with the devil (the example including trading one's feeling side or inner value for technological comfort) can hurt the feminine side of a person. The writing seems at times confusing and surreal, with sporadic assessment of Christianity influence, plus the loose connection between ancient tales and twentieth century syndromes concerning the weakening of man and woman's inner world and psychological health.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read other books by Robert A. Johnson and loved them, but this one didn't work as well for me. His analysis of the Fisher King feels quite strong, but his take on the Handless Maiden didn't resonate with me. Perhaps my stumbling block is the "woman as victim" trope--a miller trades unspecified repayment for a machine that will grind his grain faster, devil returns later to claim his payment in the form of the hands of the miller's daughter. While I realized this book is simply an analysis of an existing story, it still feels remarkably focused on the men in the story, especially for a book published in 1993. Yes the author is a Jungian, but there is more at stake here and more to be learned than "a woman can heal herself by retreating to solitude until she can be restored by saving someone else's life."

[Shavawn M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I just loved this book. It is not only beautifully written, but its pure and haunting message resonates with me, especially during all the chaos we're experiencing in the world right now. Understanding our woundedness and being able to take the right action to heal, is critical. Symbolically, both the Fisher King and the Handless Maiden reside in each one of us, as either our masculine or feminine shadow. I will be savoring these stories and thinking about them for some time to come. To heal, a woman needs solitude. To heal, a man needs to take heroic action. This is the third book by Robert A. Johnson that I've read this week, but this is by far my favorite. I cannot wait to digest this and see what my inner life makes of this information.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm half way through and I think the author has incredible insight into emotions and the English language. The English language is sadly bankrupt when it comes to describing feelings and limits our emotional experience. This leaves us wounded and unable to express ourselves to one another. It turns ours into a culture of isolation. Very well written so far. Can't wait to read the second section "The Handless Maiden".

[Jesse Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book like all other R.A. Johnson books take a Jungian approach to studying ancient mythology and applying their lessons to our modern life. In this case, it's two myths and the lesson is about learning to be successful in a mechanized world without losing your anima(feminine,feeling side). The two myths are.... The Fisher King and The Handless Maiden. Some interesting points, but not really in depth as each section is only about 50 pages, but still a quick and interesting read.

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this I thought is was an extremely important book. It brought interesting ideas to and clarified the angst I was seeing in my own and my wife's psychological struggles. However, the last time I read it, I found it to be more like an introduction to the Jungian perspective on male/ female psychology. So, if you are new to Jung and Jung's ideas, a solid 5 stars. However, if you are familiar with Jung, this will be down a little from that, but is still a worth while read.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read but it is certainly not one of those books you read once and be done with it. Lots of deep ideas to think about. I really enjoyed it and enjoyed the authors writing and relating of myth to our lives.

[Tricia Bertram · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son gave me this book many years ago. I return to it often when the missing of him becomes an ache.
The Fisher King wound is a perfect metaphor for his depression, the Handless Maiden a metaphor for my helplessness in the face of his depression.

[Elizabeth Puntolillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of overlap between this book and "He" by the same author. I'd recommend this over reading "He" and "She" separately because the female allegory here is much stronger than the one in "She".

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent analysis of two legends that relies too much on its own premises. I would have preferred a fleshed-out structure with more supporting evidence. But as it stands, this book is a brisk and engaging read for anyone interested in psychological aspects of folklore.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short yet powerful, Johnson has hit upon several key points.

While I'm not sure about everything this book claims, it certainly provides food for thought. I especially enjoyed Johnson's emphasis on the power of the individual, as well as, his points about addressing internal problems internally.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book... short read, but far from easy... i want to read it again and again... very compact if you are willing to pull truth apart enough to digest it.

[James Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent little work, profitably read in conjunction with Bly and Woodman's The Maiden King, using mythology to illustrate masculine and feminine psychology.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thinking book.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Robert Johnson's interpretation of fables. These two fables address men & women and how we can attribute much of the tension between us to the different ways we suffer.

[Bret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyrically written Jungian psychology. Who could ask for more? Johnson's analysis of myth as archetype is a necessary read for any lover of stories.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is always a cool way to convey a message: via the medieval tale. Johnson rocks again!

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the sharp mythological focus, this book did not impact me in the way Johnson's other works have.