Introduction to Hillman & Moore: The Family
The concept of Eros is the personification of life, love, and the psychological function of relationships on the subconscious level. Carl Jung organized these elements of sex called the anima (in men) and animus (in women) as a source of subconscious thinking. As a result, to enhance the importance of Eros, Hillman and Moore establish the assertion that the soul searches for familial significance through myths and archetypes based on this concept. In this paper, I will introduce Hillman/Moore’s reasoning to why and how they determined the meaning of family value by examining the four emotional moments in family life (False Identity, Relatives and in-laws, Family meals, Going back home) and I will
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The lessons, the knowledge, and the influence the Family has on the soul are essential to the psychology of Eros. By accepting the importance of the family archetype, Moore maintains the notion that “It’s possible to look at anything through the image of family . . . [and] the family serves as a metaphor” to develop the soul (193). Through the image of the family, the soul encounter lessons and experiences that contributes to laying the foundation it needs to live on with a purpose of maintaining Eros. Therefore, Hillman argues the idea of family members as myths: the abandoned child, the hero’s mother, the senex, the …show more content…
For the soul to follow these archetypes of mythical figures, it must allow itself to accept the negative and positive traits each figure encompass. The soul must be unbiased. For example, Hillman detests the fantasies of personal growth and “he does not see the child as a phase we grow out of, or as a shadowless source of creativity” (194). The abandoned child archetype is not a figure that is in trouble due to the negativity portrayal of family abandonment, but is in the focus of soul searching for identity. Hillman further insists that although the senex (paternal figure) falls into the category of authoritarian figure, it does not take away the impact the myth made about the figure. It is crucial for the soul to enable its acceptance of its archetypal characteristics as strongly suggested by Hillman that “negativity is neither denied nor repressed; it is shown to have an important place in the relations of the family members” (195).
Sociological development has hindered the family in our modern/contemporary society. Hillman argues that “nothing has abused the family more than our psychological theories of development” (196). Therefore, he addresses four important emotional moments in family life that affects the soul and its development: False Identity, Relatives and in-laws, Family meals, and Going back home. These four family life moments are essential in illuminating the myth
Richard Rodriguez was an established author of the 1980’s and 90’s. In his article titled Family Values (1992) he questioned the integrity and overall opinion of the American family system. Family Values uses the contexts of social and political ideologies to achieve its goals. His overall message with this argument is the competing types of family values and their application in real world settings. In this expository article, Rodriguez relies on his ability to weave pathos and ethos into a well-written argument that captivates his audience and encourages them to question the average American family system.
It is often—in books, poems, paintings, and sculptures—that one hears of and sees the goddess of love. But when is it that one hears of the god? In Greek mythology, Eros is the god of love, and a god who is many times overlooked. In Robert Bridges’ “EPÙÓ” and Anne Stevenson’s “Eros”, the idea that Eros is overlooked is portrayed, but in two separate ways. Techniques such as diction, imagery, and tone are used to help convey the idea.
In Aristophanes’ speech, which primarily takes the form of a myth, he weaves together comical elements with undertones of sadness that serve to create a profound account of what Eros is. The speech describes humans as combined creatures who, after being separated, are filled with longing. These beings spend the remainder of their lives, in a sometimes futile attempt, combating this feeling of longing by searching for the individual that can make them one again. Aristophanes describes Eros as a remedy for this overwhelming emotion. He uses his story to make Eros an entity that acts in tandem with individuals wishing to be whole. As a result, Eros ultimately serves as a guide that allows humans to bring about their original feeling of completion,
When you think about family, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you only thought about your parents or close relatives then you may have been caught in an “individual vs. family” paradox. Nearly every culture considers family important, but “many Americans have never even met all of their cousins” (Holmes & Holmes, 2002, p.19). We say we are family oriented, but not caring to meet all of our extended family seems to contradict that. Individual freedoms, accomplishments, and goals are all American ideals that push the idea of individualism. What's important to note is that family or even the concept of family itself doesn't appear in any of those ideals. Holmes and Holmes (2002), observed that “The family reunions of yesterday are now rare, and when they occur they are often a source of stress.” (p. 19) That quote solidifies one reason why family interaction today is : it's just too stressful, so we avoid it. Where does marriage fit into our culture of individuals? Marriage itself may be less of a family unifying event than a way for two individuals to obtain personal happiness; the climbing divorce rate alone seems to suggest the devaluation of commitment in a relationship. Likewise, the Holmes and Holmes (2002) state “marriage is in effect a continuation of courtship” (p. 19) In my opinion, I would have to agree with the authors on family and marriage, considering the above-stated facts and trends. If we, as a nation, can place the individual so far above our own relatives, are we not creating a future of selfishness?
Firstly, one’s identity is largely influenced by the dynamics of one’s relationship with their father throughout their childhood. These dynamics are often established through the various experiences that one shares with a father while growing up. In The Glass Castle and The Kite Runner, Jeannette and Amir have very different relationships with their fathers as children. However the experiences they share with these men undou...
As the great Philosopher Nietzsche proclaims boys always resembles their father. Thus I have analyzed the similarities and the traces of parents on their off-springs. And literary creations of them seem to me that they are the mirrors of their real selves. As Oscar Wilde reveals in De Profundis: "Art is a symbol, because man is a symbol." (93) so art symbolizes man. And his art is the symbol of his personality just as Marius the Epicurian is the symbol of Walter Pater's. Consequently, art harbours not only readers and life but also the creators of them. In fiction, Words speak two times; one reveals plot, the other reveals author; whatever a literary men writes, he writes himself but nothing else...
5. Noller, P., & Fitzpatrick, M. A. (1991). Markal communicafion. In A. Booth (Ed.),Contemporary families: Looking forward, looking back, (pp. 42-53). Minneapohs, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
In modern society, death is the end of all things. Death brings nothingness to some and a second chance at life to others; a new and better life than what can be lead on Earth. This idea of the life beyond death was celebrated and anticipated by the ancient Greeks. Death brought with it a reunion of loved ones, an existence with eternal youth, and an abundance of happiness. The most important aspect of this experience, however, was the continuation of love and marriage after death. Several ancient myths delve into this “til’ eternity do us part” motif, exhibiting distinguishing characteristics such as sexually suggestive imagery, the strong influence of Eros, and the reestablishment of oikos in the afterlife.
It’s not easy to build an ideal family. In the article “The American Family” by Stephanie Coontz, she argued that during this century families succeed more when they discuss problems openly, and when social institutions are flexible in meeting families’ needs. When women have more choices to make their own decisions. She also argued that to have an ideal family women can expect a lot from men especially when it comes to his involvement in the house. Raymond Carver, the author of “Where He Was: Memories of My Father”, argued how his upbringing and lack of social institutions prevented him from building an ideal family. He showed the readers that his mother hide all the problems instead of solving them. She also didn’t have any choice but to stay with his drunk father, who was barely involved in the house. Carvers’ memoir is relevant to Coontz argument about what is needed to have an ideal family.
An adage goes by “show me your friends and I will tell you who you are” but in family system theory, it more like show me/tell me about a family member, and I will tell and interpret the family as a whole. Family system theory work hand in hand with the definition of family because, based on how the family defines itself, you can tell more about the family in terms of their communication and coexistence in general.
Aristophanes delivers a striking account concerning the nature of Eros. In his speech, which primarily takes the form of a myth, he weaves together comical elements with undertones of sadness that serve to create a profound account of what Eros is. The speech describes humans as combined creatures who, after being separated, are filled with longing. These beings spend the remainder of their lives, in a sometimes futile attempt, combating this feeling of longing by searching for the individual that can make them one again. Aristophanes describes Eros as a remedy for this overwhelming emotion. He uses his story to make Eros an entity that acts in tandem with individuals wishing to be whole. As a result, Eros ultimately serves as
During the 1950’s the misconception that the nuclear family, which presumes that a self-supporting unit composed of two heterosexual parents legally married and engaging in separate masculine and feminine family roles was predominant and ideal (Palczewski & DeFrancisco, 2014). Understandably, looking at what a family looks like and means now from this perspective could lead one to believe that the American family is deteriorating, however, this is a result of the golden age view about the nuclear family and was never a reality (Afifi, lecture). The American family is not deteriorating, the common understanding of what a family looks like is changing due to the increase of diversity, dependency on discourse based communication, and an emphasis
It is inferred that the parents should take care of their children and have their best interest at heart. This however, is not the case in Greek and Roman mythology. The killing of ones own children, or filicide, was not viewed as negative upon in their era. The contemporary times contrast with the ancient Greek and Roman’s because it was justified to use any means necessary to obtain a higher status. The Greeks and Romans valued keeping a high social reputation and having respect for those of great power. The motherly union between their children conflict with the reality that the father strives to retain or gain control. These circumstances cause a tense bond between the members of the family. The strained parent to child relationship in Greco-Roman myths is prevalent in the fact that the parents are fearful of being overtaken by their children, and endeavor to limit their upbringing.
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest tells the story of Prospero who is exiled on an island along with his daughter, Miranda. Inhabiting the island is a spirit named Ariel and an ugly monster named Caliban. Miranda, Ariel and Caliban all vary in nature. However, all have been tended to and have been nurtured on the island by Prospero. Especially through Caliban and Miranda, Shakespeare demonstrates that education and nurturing can affect the person’s true nature and self.
The wrongful idea of a “normal” family has existed throughout Western society for generations. Following notions connected to heteronormativity, this “normal” family is typically depicted as white and is comprised from a heterosexual couple (Lecture, 2016). As Professor Lord explained, this “normal” family ideal therefore does not exist because it is socially construction of the biased idea of how a family should be and is maintained throughout society which results in discrimination (Lecture, 2016). The incorrect valuing of some families over another based off certain identity markers such as sexuality and race has been imbedded into our society’s institutions and systems, establishing the divisions of those who are included and excluded.