The Shadow Archetype in Mahmud Dowlatabadi’s Novel Yusef’s Days and Nights

Abstract

The present article studies Mahmoud Dowlatabadi’s novel Yusef ’s Days and Nights and attempts to provide a different reading of the novel through the application of C. G. Jung’s theories on the collective unconscious and archetypes. From Jung’s perspective, the collective unconscious is the reservoir of psychic energy and the source of all human memories; also, the archetypes are universal mental structures the recognition of which becomes possible through the symbolic interpretation of dreams, fantasies, myths, and rituals. “Shadow” is one of the most important archetypes that, according to Jung, is the dark half of our being. This shadow is our alter-ego, and it is only when we accept it as a part of our being that we can achieve psychic equilibrium and complete the process of individuation. The process of individuation, and indeed of the conscious mind’s coming to terms with the ‘self,’ usually begins with suffering. Although this initial shock is not often recognized, it is a kind of summoning. However, Yusef (the protagonist of the novel) follows the path of denial and his projections of his fears and anxieties gradually make the distinction between illusion and reality difficult for him. Therefore, the confrontation with theshadow, although difficult and perhaps horrifying, is a necessary step on the road towards mental and psychical maturity.

Archetypes & Self-Realization in Disney’s Cruella (2021) Movie: Jungian Psychoanalysis

“…Her shadow makes her a much stronger person, allowing her to reclaim control of her life from the narcissist Baroness. Furthermore, according to Jung's position in Farahmandfar and Alizadeh's study (Farahmandfar & Alizadeh, 2021), behind the persona, the shadow is like a tail that follows you around everywhere. Cruella, Estella's shadow, has definitely followed her throughout her life and continues to do so.…”

“…The results revealed the protagonist's anti-hero reflection, as well as the portrayal of the persona and shadow archetypes (Raharto & Permatasari, 2019). Meanwhile, Farahmandfar and Alizadeh examined Yusef, the protagonist of the novel Yusef's Days and Nights, and discovered that Yusef's reluctance to acknowledge the dark half of his self, the projection of his restless mind, has prevented him from fully individuating (Farahmandfar & Alizadeh, 2021). Unlike many other studies, the goal of this research is to distinguish Estella's identity through her persona, shadow, and self-realization in Cruella movie (2021).…”