An Analysis Of Alice's Anxiety In The Good Terrorist

Doris Lessing is a remarkable British female writer.Her works contain a large number of important ideas and social issues of the 20 th century.The Good Terrorist is considered as her real returning from a series of “space-novels” to realistic theme.In the novel,Lessing portrays a riotous and disordered life of a group of jobless young people who have visions of changing society by themselves.Alice Mellings,the main character of the story,is confronted with anxiety all the time.The neurosis theory of Karen Horney places stress on the influence of social culture and family relationship upon individual's psychology.Hence,it can be regarded as an unique angle to analyze the character's psychology in literature study.Under the guidance of Horneyan theory,the thesis tries to explore the formation and development of Alice's anxiety in The Good Terrorist by way of close reading.Through the analysis of her anxiety's origins,her multiple defenses and the final consequences,it aims to reveal the significant influence of external environment exerted on the individual's personality.Firstly,the thesis explores the causes of Alice's anxiety.On one hand,unfavorable individual environments of Alice's family and the squat give rise to her anxiety.On the other hand,three kinds of inherent contradictions in western culture that she lives also add to her anxiety.Secondly,the thesis discusses the multiple defenses that Alice employs to relieve the anxiety.In order to fight with the anxiety,she uses interpersonal and intrapsychic defensive strategies.Finally,Alice's anxiety that cannot be eliminated result in a series of bad consequences,including fears,sadistic trends and hopelessness.By means of Horney's neurosis theory,the thesis concludes that the feelings of insecurity resulting from the individual environment and the inherent contradictions of western culture can exert a significant influence on the formation of individual's personality.Modern people should establish a harmonious interpersonal relationship,and strive for the inner independence at the same time.Since most domestic and overseas research are from the perspective of political or feminist criticism,this thesis attempts to provide a relatively new interpretation on TheGood Terrorist.Besides,it also aims to give some enlightenment to people who has emotional disturbances in modern society.