Psychology of the Unconscious: A Study of the Transformations and Symbolisms of the Libido. A Contribution to the History of the Evolution of ThoughtJung, C. G. (Carl Gustav)
Philosophy
Psychology of the Unconscious: A Study of the Transformations and Symbolisms of the Libido. A Contribution to the History of the Evolution of Thought
Jung, C. G. (Carl Gustav)
Libido (Psychology); Mother and child; Psychoanalysis; Subconsciousness; Symbolism (Psychology)
This type appears to be generally a psychological rule which holds good
for all neuroses and, therefore, also for the normal in a much less
degree. We might, therefore, expect that Miss Miller, after this
energetic and persevering introversion, which had even encroached for a
time upon the feeling of reality, would succumb anew to an impression of
the real world and also to just as suggestive and energetic an influence
as that of her dreams. Let us proceed with the narrative:
“But as the journey drew to an end, the ship’s officers outdid
themselves in kindness (tout ce qu’il y a de plus empressé et de plus
aimable) and I passed many amusing hours teaching them English. On the
Sicilian coast, in the harbor of Catania, I wrote a sailor’s song
which was very similar to a song well known on the sea, (Brine, wine
and damsels fine). The Italians in general all sing very well, and one
of the officers who sang on deck during night watch, had made a great
impression upon me and had given me the idea of writing some words
adapted to his melody. Soon after that, I was very nearly obliged to
reverse the well-known saying, ‘Veder Napoli e poi morir,’—that is to
say, suddenly I became very ill, although not dangerously so. I
recovered to such an extent, however, that I could go on land to visit
the sights of the city in a carriage. This day tired me very much, and
since we had planned to see Pisa the following day, I went on board
early in the evening and soon lay down to sleep without thinking of
anything more serious than the beauty of the officers and the ugliness
of the Italian beggars.”
One is somewhat disappointed at meeting here, instead of the expected
impression of reality, rather a small intermezzo, a flirtation.
Nevertheless, one of the officers, the singer, had made a great
impression (il m’avait fait beaucoup d’impression). The remark at the
close of the description, “sans songer à rien de plus sérieux qu’à la
beauté des officiers,” and so on, diminishes the seriousness of the
impression, it is true. The assumption, however, that the impression
openly influenced the mood very much, is supported by the fact that a
poem upon a subject of such an erotic character came forth immediately,
“Brine, wine and damsels fine,” and in the singer’s honor. One is only
too easily inclined to take such an impression lightly, and one admits
so gladly the statements of the participators when they represent
everything as simple and not at all serious. I dwell upon this
impression at length, because it is important to know that an erotic
impression after such an introversion, has a deep effect and is
undervalued, possibly, by Miss Miller. The suddenly passing sickness is
obscure and needs a psychologic interpretation which cannot be touched
upon here because of lack of data. The phenomena now to be described can
only be explained as arising from a disturbance which reaches to the
very depths of her being.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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