| Doris Lessing (1919-2013), a distinguished female writer, begins her careerfrom the publication of The Grass Is Singing. Her first book is widely accepted. Sincethen, she begins to influence the world with plentiful works, which involve profoundthemes like racism, colonialism, paternalism, feminism, etc.The Grass Is Singing tells the stories of a few English emigrants and the nativein South Africa. Most of them have a tragic ending. The thesis analyzes the spiritualreason of the characters’ tragedies. It uses Freud’s personality structure theory toexplore their psychology and gives a psychological understanding of the novel.There are five parts in the thesis. The introduction presents the life and works ofDoris Lessing, and introduces Sigmund Freud and his personality structure theory.This part also includes the literature review and the author’s understanding of the TheGrass Is Singing from perspective of personality structure theory. Chapter onediscusses the experience of the female protagonist, Mary Turner, who is a sufferer ofthe demanding superego. From birth to death, she is under strong control of superego.Her trauma lies in the repressed id fighting against the demanding superego. Chaptertwo focuses on the analysis of Moses’ and Dick’s life. Both of them spend their daysin pursuing for the satisfaction of their id. The thesis digs into their internal worldsand demonstrates the psychological reason of their tragedies, that is, whether strong orweak, they are not suitable for the world with a desirous id. Chapter three exhibits thelife of Charlie Slatter and Tony Marston. They are the only two people in the novelwho can mediate between id and superego. Though they have their defects, withbalanced ego, they can survive. The conclusion summarizes the thesis, giving anoverall understanding of the whole thesis. In order to have a normal life in the world,one needs to know how to mediate between id and superego, and therefore has abalanced rational ego. |
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