Among American novelists, Anais Nin was the first to penetrate so thoroughly into woman's "hidden worlds," to expose her protective personas, to dramatize her atrophied senses and decayed will, to uncover the experiences that fester in her unconscious, and to reveal the impulses in the unconscious that can inspire woman. This dissertation studies the coherence that exists within Nin's theory of the poetic novel, her depiction of woman's neurosis, and her psychology of woman's transformation. / In particular, this study analyzes four characters--Stella, Djuna, Sabina, and Lillian--and the multi-faceted personas projected by each woman. In many instances, a persona is a clear manifestation of an archetype that consciously or unconsciously influences the character's behavior. The novels examined in the dissertation are Winter of Artifice, Ladders to Fire, Children of the Albatross, The Four-Chambered Heart, A Spy in the House of Love, and Seduction of the Minotaur. / Of the various archetypes projected through Stella, Djuna, Sabina, and Lillian, only four forms have positive effects on their psyches. First, the Child archetype embodies curiosity, receptivity, and playfulness--qualities that are essential to creativity and change. Second, the Seductress archetype fosters sensuality and sensuousness within woman and represents a vital means of relating to people, art, and nature. Third, the Moon Goddess archetype suggests that sexual intercourse can be a catalyst for the journey toward self-knowledge. This archetype urges woman to make her actions true to her inner principles and not to permit the ego to become the primary maker of decisions. Additionally, it has the power to make woman become aware of her creative potential and of the essential nature of freedom. Finally, the Wise Woman archetype encourages woman to become reflective and perceptive. It teaches her to make dreams exist in external reality and to transfigure particular events into universal dimensions. / Nin's extensive use of archetypal forms helps not only to explain the popular and critical interest in her work but also to understand better her ideas on woman's growth out of neurosis. The study concludes that certain archetypes, some of which society would not condone, possess great potential for benefitting woman's psychological growth. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-05, Section: A, page: 1546. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1982.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74825 |
| Contributors | NOVINGER, ELIZABETH ANN., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 200 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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