In this episode we continue our exploration of the Jungian shadow in our lives and in literature. The two texts we are primarily concerned with are A Monster Calls and Fight Club. Both began as novels and both were adapted into fine films— Fight Club, especially, is an excellent adaptation and deserving of its popularity.
A Monster Calls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls)(2011), is a novel written by Patrick Ness, developed from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, who died of breast cancer in 2007. Ness writes of Dowd that she, “had the characters, a premise, and a beginning. What she didn't have, unfortunately, was time.”
In A Monster Calls, we suggest that we can consider the shadow as the appearance of the “unthinkable thought”— a thought so terrible that the young protagonist, Conor, represses it and refuses to acknowledge it, until it consumes him with guilt and he unconsciously summons a monster to help him face it.
Fight Club is a novel written by Chuck Palahniuk, and later adapted into a film by David Fincher. In Fight Club, the shadow is represented by the mysterious and charismatic Tyler Durden, who serves as a projection of the narrator's repressed desires and rage. Tyler represents the narrator’s desire to break free from the constraints of society and live a life of freedom and adventure.
We hope you enjoy the episode
References:
Episode 7— Jung, The Shadow, and A Wizard of Earthsea (https://www.alteredmates.com/7)
Carl Jung —The Collected Works of C. G. Jung (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Collected_Works_of_C._G._Jung#Aion), Vol 9. Part 1 and 2
Part 1: The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious
Part 2: Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self
Carl Jung — Memories, Dreams, Reflections (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memories,_Dreams,_Reflections) (1962).
Maggie Hyde — Introducing Jung: A Graphic Guide (https://www.introducingbooks.com/ib-title/introducing-jung-2/)
Scott J. Hill — Confrontation with the Unconscious: Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience (https://www.amazon.com.au/Confrontation-Unconscious-Psychology-Psychedelic-Experience/dp/1913274020) (2019).
A Monster Calls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls) (novel), written by Patrick Ness (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ness) (from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siobhan_Dowd)), published 2011
A Monster Calls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Monster_Calls_(film)) (film), directed by J. A. Bayona (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._A._Bayona) from a screenplay by Patrick Ness (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Ness).
Chuck Palahniuk — Fight Club (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_Club_(novel)) (novel)
David Fincher — Fight Club (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_Club) (film)
Tool — Forty-Six & 2 (https://open.spotify.com/track/6AioOohg4bQZFA4jIYQQ2r?si=780b8e941702444a) — Ænima
Links:
Altered Mates Website (https://www.alteredmates.com)
Altered Mates Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/altered.mates/)
Music for the show by Si Mulumby (https://www.instagram.com/wildmarmalade/?hl=en).
