Goddess, Witch Woman

Using C.G.Jung and some other critics' Collective Unconscious-Archetypal Criticism as main theoretical basis, this thesis focuses on Nana, a masterpiece by the Naturalist literary giant, Zola It reviews the birth of goddess belief and the process of its decline in history, and analyzes the brand and influences of goddess complex engraved upon man's collective unconscious, thus solving some puzzling problems brought about by Nana. It comes to the conclusion that Nana has three appearances, that is, goddess, witch and woman. Although coexisting in the novel, these three appearances symbolize the development of feminine awareness in human psychological history. Besides, the living narration by the naturalist writer provides a sample for Collective Unconscious-Archetypal Criticism, hence making a deeper understanding of Naturalism possible.This thesis includes three chapters: Goddess, Witch, and Woman. The first chapter, based on the formation of whoring as a special profession, its historical significance, as well as the characteristics and significance of goddess worship during the infancy period of human history, reasons why Nana makes an object that numerous men are addicted to and go after. The second chapter, by reviewing the history of witch and analyzing its oneness of life and death, lists the reasons why Nana, as a prostitute, is able to destroy numerous men in a men-centric society. The third chapter, based on S. Freud's Unconscious Theory and the analysis of Nana's short-lived marital relationship, rips off both the halo and the mystery around her and therefore restores her to an ordinary woman among mortal beings—no longer a goddess or a witch.