A Study On The Protagonists’ Personality Development Process In All The Light We Cannot See On Basis Of Sigmund Freud’s Personality Structure Theory

All the Light We Cannot See is Anthony Doerr’s,the contemporary American writer,representative work.In 2014,this novel has won many accolades,including the New York Times “Book of the Year”,and then got the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in2015.Set in the Second World War,the novel is written in a binary structure--"ab-ab-ab" mode,which interweaves the stories of two characters who never know each other.In the novel,there are a lot of descriptions of psychological activities of the protagonists,whose psychology develops from immaturity to maturity,and their personalities gradually develop from imperfection to perfection.This paper uses Freud’s theory of personality structure to analyze the personality development process of the protagonists and probe into the factors that affect the development of their personalities under the background of war.It reflects the hindrance and negative influence of the war environment on children’s growth and personality development.This thesis is divided into five parts.The first chapter mainly includes the introduction of the author and the novel,the studies at home and abroad as well as the research significance of this thesis.The second chapter mainly introduces the Freudian theory of personality structure and its correlation with the analyzed novel.The third chapter mainly describes the early stage of the protagonists’ personality development before the outbreak of the war.It shows that they are constantly pursuing,self-learning,having their own hobbies and dreams.However,they take different paths of personality development due to war and other factors.The fourth chapter mainly describes the outbreak of the war,the protagonists encounter different difficulties and setbacks.Their ego opens defense mechanism to avoid personality disorders.The ego is also strengthened in this process.The fifth chapter is the personality maturity of the protagonists.The superego makes them both make the right choice.Marie-Laure’s personality matures and she is able to cope well with setbacks and conflicts,and Werner also chooses justice and light in the end.This thesis uses Freud’s personality theory to focus on the inner world of children.The war and violence will bring negative energy to children’s personality development,and the external environment plays a crucial role in the development of personality.Due to the difference in external environment,the two protagonists who have similar id have embarked on different paths of personality development.One becomes constantly strong and brave,while the other struggles constantly between good and evil.One’s personality eventually stabilizes and matures,the other finally chooses justice but ends his own life,but the scars of the war remain forever.