The Final Choice For Meaning Of Life

Martin Eden,a semi-autobiographical novel,which was written by American writer Jack London in 1909.As a masterpiece of critical realism,it has a positive impact on the American literary scene in the early 20 th century.The book mainly tells a story of young sailor Eden accidentally meet a lady of upper class,whose name is Ruth.In order to pursue love,he takes up his arduous creative career.After experiencing a lot of tribulations,he chooses to jump into the sea as the end of his life.By applying Freud?s theory of personality structure,the thesis mainly discusses from three aspects.Firstly,it studies on how Martin and Ruth fully release themselves by their instincts.Then,it focuses on how Martin struggles to survive in the real world.Finally,it discusses his ultimate choice for the meaning of life.Beginning with an introduction to Jack London and Martin Eden,analyzing the studies at home and abroad,based on the study of Freud?s personality structure theory,this thesis deeply probes into the causes of Martin?s death from three aspects: id,ego and superego.Freud believes that a complete personality consists of three systems: the id,ego and superego.The close cooperation of them constitutes a harmonious and unified whole,which enables people to effectively carry out all kinds of contacts with the external environment,to satisfy the basic needs and desires of people,and to realize the lofty ideals and goals of individuals.Once the three systems conflict with each other,they must have an impact on people?s behaviors and even endanger the survival and development of human beings,as Martin does in the book.In the process of pursuing desires and ideals,Martin suffers from the test of reality,which leads to the disillusionment of fantasy,the complete disappointment of society and life.He has no choice but to disappear into the endless darkness.This thesis uses Freud?s personality structure theory to interpret Martin Eden.The purpose is to discuss how human behaviors and desires are driven by instinctive impulse,and how to make correct choices of life,how to realize the goals and values of life under the test of reality and social civilization.Driven by instinct,Martin,who has always been longing to be loved,constantly strives for his love and career.After experiencing misfortunes and hardships,he finally succeeded.But by the time,he had lost himself and chose to end his life by escaping.The way of dying is not a moral act.His tragedy tells us that on the road of pursuing desire and ideal,we will be tested by reality,society and various difficulties.We should learn to correctly handle the relationships between id,ego and superego,between ourselves and society,between ideal and reality,so that we will not lose ourselves and be able to make the right choice on the issue of the meaning of life.