Psychological criticism of Watership Down using Jungian theory

Watership Down, Psychological Criticisms

Psychological Criticisms, Figures & Concepts

Psychological critics of literary works approach a novel by looking at it through a psychological lense. Critics will usually look at the motivations of the characters themselves, or, if there is enough known about the author (for example, Shakespeare), they will analyze the authors motivation, or purpose, for the novel. There are several methods to a psychological criticism; some critics use the Freudian approach, where characters, concepts, and even the setting are broken down into various parts (the id, symbols, sexuality, etc.). Some critics use the Jungian approach, where most of the analysis is focused on the main character and villain, such as the different parts of the self and the persona (Burris). There is yet another method, by Charles Mauron, which focuses on the literary works of an author as though they were a dream, and the final stage of analysis connects the works in some meaningful way to the author ("Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism"). Some questions that might be asked are: What are the instinctual motivations for these characters? Is there a part of the mind that is repressing any actions? What effect does this have on the character and storyline? Is there a process of discovery for the character? On the other hand, perhaps a direct opposite of the hero that manifests itself as the villain? Does the character come to understand something that is not understood at the outset? (Dobie, 64)

To apply concepts of a psychological criticism, depending on which method is used (Freudian or Jungian), the easiest place to start would be with the hero, the main supporting characters, and the main villain. From there, pick the main themes from the novel. Are the characters on an adventure? Is there some mystery that must be discovered? Is the novel all about the hero and his psyche? Next, if it is a Freudian approach, look carefully at the different settings in the novel and what takes place in that setting. For example, in a Freudian approach it is very important to point out any symbols or imagery that might have sexual connotations, such as water, phallic imagery, and the relationships between young children and their parents (if applicable) (Burris).

For this novel, Watership Down by Richard Adams, the focus will be on Jungian theory of analysis. The different parts of focus will be: "individuation," the way a character individualizes himself from the rest of the characters; "shadow," which is the darkest part of the self, and usually takes form in the villain; "persona," which is the obvious social personality seen in the novel and expressed or commented on by the other characters; and the "anima," is the soul image of the hero, which can be represented by the heroine, but in this case is represented by the brother (Burris).

Major Themes

There are many major themes to this novel, but the main one is going out to find your own, regardless of the consequences. Psychologically a harrowing journey will bring out the best or worst of some, and in this case rabbits discover they are braver than they thought, or perhaps smarter or cleverer than anyone imagined. The journey produces severe anxiety and conflict for the rabbit group, because they are not used to leaving without a leader, or without permission, and they are all considered young. As rabbits, of course, they are very vulnerable to almost all situations above ground. Eventually, and with many hardships, they do successfully find a place to call their own.

Another theme, which is not only mentioned several times, but also keenly felt between all the members of the troupe, is fear of the unknown. Rabbits have such an intense, physical response to fear, that they can actually become paralyzed with it. This is a well-known fear to rabbits, that once the paralyses has set in, the predator can literally kill the rabbit, and it will not move. At first, they are afraid because they think they cannot cross great distances, but they end up taking a week to reach their destination, an unheard of amount of time for travel to a rabbit. Then they get involved with a "haunted" warren, and one of them is stuck in a snare, which severely injures the rabbit. They overcome this too, after they work together to free the injured rabbit and escape the bad warren. They are afraid of birds and cats, and yet they befriend an injured bird so it will help them, and in turn, they give it a place to roost every winter; and one of them attacks a cat and send it running for the hills. As the novel progresses, each rabbit feels braver and more aware of the world around them, when previously they felt small and vulnerable, incapable of doing anything by themselves.

The last theme, which really moves the climax forward, is the idea of family. These boys need some mothers to come their warren so they can start families. After all the hardships they faced, and when things finally settle down, Hazel knows they will begin to get lonely. Why else come all this way and not start a family? The novel moves forward in a final push when they are agree to infiltrate the horrible warren run by General Woundwort, and persuade some female rabbits to come back with them to their warren and start families. The boys even dug all their own tunnels (unheard-of for boy rabbits, that's ladies work), overcoming their manly bravado and making their hill a home, ready for family. It is so important, felt so deeply in the core of each of them that they know what they are risking to get the female rabbits, and they do it anyway.

The characters of this novel are well rounded. There is no neurosis to be found, they work out their conflicts and listen to one another in times of crisis. Some stranger rabbits may think Fiver is crazy because he has visions, dreams and "feelings," but that is who he is, and they trust his judgment. Some of the group may have thought Hazel was taking too big a risk by leaving, but they trusted him enough to leave too. Through their journey, and the lessons they learn, they become stronger as a group, able to handle anything. Adams presents a work of literary genius, that is so complete in it convictions of the rabbit world; their language, beliefs, morals systems and behavior, that one can just mesh with the story and not worry about the absurdity of it all. Adams use of small conflicts and resolutions solidify the group, so by the last stand, the major climax of the novel can test this camaraderie seen developing. Hazel becomes the strength, Fiver his backbone, El-ahrairah the guide for their conviction, and General Woundwort just asking to be defeated.