Androgyny: The Harmonious Integration Of The Self

Edith Wharton is one of the most remarkable and influential female writers in America at the end of 19th century, whose works make a vivid description of New York's upper class. The Age of Innocence, published in 1920, her semi-autobiographical novel, always can be universally acknowledged as Wharton's masterpiece among her novels. However, most critics of this novel are more concerned with analysis and interpretation from the perspective of feminism or naturalism, but seldom with the psychotical approach. The thesis, based on the textual analysis of The Age of Innocence, attempts to discuss Newland's individualization process at an angle of Jungian analytical psychology.The thesis is composed of four parts.Chapter One gives an introduction to Edith Wharton's profile, The Age of Innocence, a brief of literature review and the rationale of the thesis.Chapter Two provides a theoretical framework composed of the original idea of androgyny and Jungian individualization theory, making a supportive foundation for the conclusive concept in this novel.Chapter Three focuses on analysis on Newland's individualization in four stages, and points out that the persona, the shadow and the anima, these archetypes function differently on masculinity and femininity, which results into Newland achieving the self in an androgynous state.Chapter Four serves a conclusion that Newland's arrival at his androgynous level not only reflects his success of the personality integration, but also indicates that Wharton is no longer a radical feminist because of her longing for the rapport of the psyche.