A Study Of Characters In Their Eyes Were Watching God From The Perspective Of Jungian Collective Unconscious

Zora Neale Hurston is considered as one of the most prominent African-American female writers and Their Eyes Were Watching God is regarded as the most celebrated writing of her.On the theoretical basis of Jungian Collective Unconscious,this thesis analyzes the main characters Janie and her three husbands from three aspects of the Anima and Animus,the Shadow and the Persona.Firstly,this thesis analyzes the Anima and Animus in characters,unfolding their effects on characters’ choice of mating and the positive significance of communicating with Animus of Janie;secondly,this thesis analyzes the unconscious impact of the Shadow on thoughts and behaviors of characters and shows the progress made by Janie after realizing her inner Shadow;thirdly,this thesis exhibits the influence of Persona on characters in emotion and life,revealing the importance of rational use of it.The thesis draws a conclusion that the three male characters fail to make progress in personality because of their ignorance of archetypes.Conversely,Janie succeeds in integrating and balancing her inner archetypes,that is she gradually links up her Animus in the three marriages,being capable of thinking independently,which brings her realization of incomplete self,caused by Shadow,and protects her true self by properly using the Persona,acquiring complete,independent and unique self in the end.