True Freedom-an Existentialist Analysis Of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie

Muriel Spark is a celebrated woman writer in the brilliance of English literature. She is acknowledged as a Catholic writer, a satirist, a surrealistic writer and a moral philosopher. During her journey as a writer from 1957 to the end of her life in 2006, 22 wonderful novels have been left to readers. Among the 22 novels, it is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie pushing Muriel Spark out to the popularity and making her an international celebrity. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie heightens her fame to the top of her career. Most of the critics pay attention to these perspectives like postmodernism, religion and textual analysis. In this thesis, Sartre's existentialistic theory of freedom will be elucidated to help interpreting the main characters in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie: Miss Jean Brodie and Sandy.This thesis is divided into three parts. The first part is introduction part. In this part, it brings out a detail illustration about the work's author: Muriel Spark and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Besides, literature review of the work and a brief introduction of the theory are included in the first part. The body part is the main part of this thesis, three chapters are included. Chapter one discusses Miss Brodie's absolute freedom from her manipulation of power, enthrallment in doctrine of Calvinism and alienation of society. Chapter two mainly analyzes Sandy Stranger's responsible freedom from separation from manipulation, isolation from temptation and communication with society. Chapter three explores the true freedom from Miss Brodie's destruction of absolute freedom and Sandy's rebirth of responsible freedom. The last part is conclusion.Through the three parts come out the conclusion: neither absolute freedom nor responsible freedom is true freedom. The true freedom is the destruction of absolute freedom and rebirth of responsible freedom. People with absolute freedom will lead to extreme individualism and deny the relationship with society. Such as Miss Jean Brodie, working hard as she is, who is never accepted by the society. People with responsible freedom recognize the connection with society, but they do not involve themselves in the connection. Sandy can be an example, she isolates herself from irony grille. Therefore, the true freedom not only admits the connection with the society, but also make themselves as a part of it. Moreover, people with true freedom should have a heart for humanistic care and provide the positive side to the society as well as the world.