On The Formation Of Frank’s Sound Personality In The Assistant

Bernard Malamud,a American Jewish writer,is acclaimed as “the most Jewish”of the 20 th century because of his distinctive Jewishness and unique writing style among various American literature.Malamud created eight novels and four short stories all the life.The Assistant is one masterpiece of him.The scholars in China and abroad have made a variety of studies about Malamud and his work The Assistant over the years.The explorations are mainly from the viewpoints of the Jewish theme,suffering theme,and the Jewish culture.Some critics gave a high evaluation about Malamud and his works.They thought the works of Malamud not only stand for the Jewish,but also represent all human race.The abroad studies started in 1960 s,there are over twenty books about Malamud and his works have been published.The inland studies began in 1990 s,which are later than the abroad studies.From current study condition,we can see that Malamud and his works are worthy of paying attention to.In the thesis,I will apply Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung’s archetype theory to dissect the formation of character Frank’s sound personality in The Assistant.The text of thesis includes three chapters:Chapter one analyzes character Minogue as the shadow reflection of Frank.First of all,it points out that shadow is the ashamed contents in deep psychology.Secondly,after clarifying the influences of shadow on human’s behaviors and the embodiment of shadow on Frank,I will further analyze the reasons for the appearance of shadow and its influence on human behaviors.The reasons are: heredity,family,education and society.We should face up to the existence of shadow and try our best to sublimate the impact of shadow.Chapter two analyzes the persona archetype of Frank.Francis is the persona of Frank.Firstly,through the introduction of the saint Francis,it point out the function of persona and its reflection on Frank.The relationship between shadow and persona is opposite and united.The shadow gradually sublimates under the conflicts and dependence between persona and shadow.The existence of persona is necessary for the development of sound personality,but its function is limited.People need the help of archetype self to achieve the sound personality.The sublimation of shadow is progressive which can not not be achieved overnight.Chapter three explores the self archetype.The definition of self and its coordinating and unifying function are included.Character Morris Bober is the self in Frank’s psychology and it is because of the moral exemplar Morris that Frank fully acknowledges the deficiency of his personality and strives to change it towards the direction of sound personality.The development of personality is the process of individuation because everyone’s personality is unique,but the aim to pursue sound personality is consistent.It is the self that helps Frank form the sound personality.Persona,shadow and self are vital constitutes of personality and the mutual effects between them promote the development of sound personality.The formation of sound personality is beneficial to the development of individual and the progress of society.