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
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...
One of the greatest influences on a person lis their family. For the duration of a person’s childhood, the majority of time is spent with family members. A family sustains a child’s livelihood and they work to determine how a child will mature in the hope of sustaining a successful future. Over this period, family members’ opinions and views wear off on the individual, causing a change in perception. Therefore, while maturing as a youth, family members hold a significant influence on sculpting a person’s perception.
In Equus, by Peter Shaffer, and The Stranger, by Albert Camus, both protagonists’ personal family relations produced from overprotection and abandonment result in the disconnection of the primary care givers. In Equus Alan’s parents shelter him from the wrongs of the outside world, which creates an unavoidable obstacle between Alan and his parents. In The Stranger, Meursault’s unloving attitude towards his mother develops the sense of resentment from his childhood. In comparing both novels the author constructs these feelings to imply the effects of the actions when disunion is present between the primary care givers and the protagonists.
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?
The International Dictionary of Psychology defines a "father figure" as "a man to whom a person looks up and whom he treats like a father.” In this essay I am going to be addressing the significance of this figure by comparing the characters presented in three different pieces of literature: ‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare, ‘Daddy’ by Sylvia Plath and ‘The God of Small Things’ by Arudanthi Roy.
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’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.
Family dynamics are patterns in the relationships between family members. Every family has its own dynamics and there are very different from one another because of the many aspects that influence them such as the numbers of members in the family, the personalities of the individuals, the cultural background, the economic status, values, and personal family experiences. This paper will analyze the two different relationship patterns found in the poem “Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead,” by Andrew Hudgins and in the short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. By interpreting those two sources through Freud’s concept of family, the family environment and the relationships between the members will be analyzed to illustrate the ways family dynamics
This paper will examine sociological theories and how they relate to the social institution of the family. We typically view society as a group of people, but in sociology, society is not a group of people but a social organization. People are molded by society to fit within the accepted societal bounds. Society must be understood using “the meanings that people put on their values and beliefs” (Bartle, 2010). Within sociology there are three major perspectives. These are the Functionalist, Conflict and Interactionist Perspectives. Each perspective views society in different manners, with each being correct and relevant since social institutions are too complex to be defined by any one theory. Each perspective will be used to explain the perspectives’ relevance to the family.
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
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,
My motivation to research, discover, and stimulate social change is rooted in my childhood experiences. As a young child I grew up in a household filled with domestic violence, which ultimately ended with the suicide of my father. I subsequently came to know a variation of the typical American nuclear family: a single parent household. As I began to study family dynamics further, I was able to see my life experiences in a broader context. In hindsight, I now realize the impact and weight my own mother had on my personal development. It was through her strength, determination, and optimism that I was able to find the spark within myself to set goals and dreams for my future. She encouraged me never to accept anything at face value, including the way our society attempts to define my womanhood. As a result of this, I now question American culture’s classification of a ‘successful’ family and the factors that determine a ‘stable’ family.
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.
b. This text represents Psychoanalytic criticism. Several assumptions relate back to the belief that the author’s phantasies come from unsatisfied desires and are an attempt to recover childhood pleasure. Psychoanalysis also states that the goal of all behavior is the reduction of tension through release, in accordance with hedonistic principles. Psychoanalytic theory interprets work through the author’s psyche. For instance, Freud highlights childhood development and totalizes literary production as a hedonistic act conducted by the author as a substitute for childhood play. This interpretation relies on the examination of the creator’s unconscious and of the heroes in the creator’s wish-fulfilling world.