"She"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Robert Johnson's book, "She", is based on a Jungian exploration of myth and archetype. The paper points out that, while some readers may view the book as anti-feminist and completely irrelevant for modern women, Johnson repeatedly indicates that the archetypal male and female elements elucidated by myth do not directly refer to biological characteristics. Rather, each man and each woman can relate to the principles embodied by myths and thus learn something from a deep exploration of mythology. The paper also points out that "She" should always be read in light of Jungian psychology and that the underlying principles of Johnson's book about the female psyche are best appreciated when his writing is viewed symbolically.

From the Paper:

"Ascribing archetypes, deities, and myths to universal human experiences is an effective and engaging tool. Readers need not accept all of what Johnson has to say in She to appreciate its underlying messages. For instance, his exposition of Aphrodite, Psyche, Eros, and other deities points simply to an analysis of such psychological forces as desire, jealousy, fear, and love. Rather than dryly spell out the meanings and functions of psychological and emotional energies, Johnson clothes them in colorful imagery. Unfortunately, the author dwells far too much on marriage as the central experience in a woman's life. The author makes his most stereotypical statements regarding the roles of men and women in marriage. For instance, he states on page 17 that women are "bound in her marriage as he is not," and that "She may resent this, but not to be caught in this way by life is an even worse death." "

More papers on "She":

• Poem Review # 71030 : "She Walks in Beauty"
• Analytical Essay # 137077 : "She Scrape She Knee: The Theme of My Work"
• Analytical Essay # 138638 : "Stafford-Clark on "She Stoops to Conquer"
• Film Review # 110899 : "She's A Boy I Knew"

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