The Sublimation Of Life

Martin Eden, published in 1909, is considered as Jack London’s semi-autobiographical novel. It mainly tells that Martin Eden, a working-class sailor, struggles to step into the upper class in order to get the elegance of the upper class and Ruth’s love. Yet, he commits suicide shortly after achieving them. As for Martin’s unexpected death, critics have given various interpretations from many perspectives both overseas and in China so far, but studies from the perspective of psychoanalysis are few until now.Through making an in-depth research on Martin Eden’s whole life, this thesis demonstrates that what Martin spends his life time pursuing is the integrated illusory self in light of Jacques Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage. According to Lacan, the integrated illusory self which supplies people with power and will to live is built on the Other. Specifically, it needs an integrated image which the subject can identify with, identification coming from others and the subject’s self-identification. Man can not live without this kind of ego, or people will die or become psychopath. In Martin Eden, what stimulates Martin to move forward is the integrated illusory self. Martin’s depression after getting material wealth powerfully illustrates what he pursues is self rather than fame. Yet, the incompatible ideology and value between others and him frustrates the pursuit and causes his failure of achieving satisfactory identification. No identification means having no essential condition of building self. Under this condition, Martin’s endeavor of achieving the integrated illusory self undoubtedly is aborted. Therefore, Martin is faced with two choices: death and insanity. The learned Martin chooses death which can protect his pure spirit from being tarnished, and this kind of death exactly sublimates his life.