The Anima Archetype in Eugene Ionesco's Hunger and Thirst

نوع المستند : العلوم الانسانیة الأدبیة واللغات

المؤلف

المنصورة

المستخلص

The aim of this research is to examine Eugene Ionesco's Hunger and Thirst (1966), employing Carl Jung's (1875–1961) Theory of Archetypes. Particular attention is paid to the dynamics of the Anima (the repressed femininity) archetype throughout the play as the protagonist, Jean, sets off on a journey in search for fulfillment. In the play's three episodes, the anima can be observed, in its positive and negative forms, in every woman, real or imaginary, in Jean's life. In the first episode, it is present, in positive form, in his wife and daughter. It is present in its negative form too: in his maternal aunt and in a woman he sees aflame in a vision in the chimney. Both are associated with feelings of guilt, fear of old age and death, but with his aunt there is an additional element, that of repulsive sexual desires. In the second episode, it is present in its positive form in a woman whom he awaits, but never comes. In the third one, it is present, once more, in his wife and daughter with whom he fails to reunite, failing thus to reunite with his inner anima and ends trapped in an eternal vicious circle of servitude.

الكلمات الرئيسية

الموضوعات الرئيسية