| Joyce Carol Oates(1938-)is a well-known American novelist,critic and playwright.Published in 2008,My Sister,My Love is a novel about a family tragedy.This thesis uses Jungian psychology as the theoretical framework to analyze the psychological reason of the family tragedy.The thesis is analyzed from three perspectives,mother's persona(the aspect that we show to the world),son's anima(the feminine aspect of men)and daughter's animus(the masculine aspect of women).Chapter One focuses on mother's identification with persona.To pursue the persona of a successful mother,Betsey Rampike endeavors to raise ideal children.However,her way of education obstructs the healthy development of her children.The fact that she is self-centered is contrary to the persona of a successful mother,which rids her of the ability to love.Chapter Two discusses how anima dominates the son.As the mother endeavors to cultivate masculinity in her son named Skyler Rampike,the feminine aspect is suppressed.Skyler Rampike's anima is developed unconsciously but highly,as a result of which he fails to get along well with women.As the suppressed feminine aspect conflicts with the hero complex,the heroic son develops into a perpetrator.Chapter Three explores how animus governs the daughter.As the mother endeavors to foster femininity in her daughter named Bliss Rampike,the development of her daughter's personality becomes imbalanced.In consequence,the daughter relies on men and aspires for their salvation.However,the conflict between the suppressed masculine aspect and the state of being mentally weak is so great that she becomes more rebellious and dies young.In conclusion,the novel fully reveals that the psychological reason of the family tragedy is mother's identification with the distorted persona of a successful mother;it minds people of the need to pay more attention to the personality of mothers whose personality is critical to the development of children and the happiness of a family. |
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