Title: Man and his Symbols
Author: Carl Jung
Publication date: 1964
Book's setting: Nonfiction psychological text sooo, you know
Random facts: So they are making a movie about Jung and Freud and it's gonna have Keria and Fassbender so basically I'm going to watch it no matter how historically incorrect it is.
Plot summary: Man and his Symbols is a collection of essays by Carl Jung and his followers that explore the subconscious mind and meaning behind dreams. It was written as an introduction to his school of though, and was meant for a general audience as opposed to psych students. Because of this it's a surprisingly easy read.
Favorite aspects: The dream descriptions were my favorite parts. I basically feel ripped off. Where are my deep and meaningful dreams, wrought with symbolism?? I dream about sexy men and getting lost in my kitchen and awesome bookstores. Make what you will of that, Jung. I dare you. Anyway. I really looked at Man and his Symbols as over-blown literary analysis with a bit of anthropology tossed in for good measure. Don't be scared because it's Jung. It was a fascinating and incredibly understandable read. It really helped me be a better reader... Jung was obsessed with universal symbols like the Old Woman. It definetly helped me see fairy tales in a new light, and all fiction in general. Actually I think it might make me a better writer. If you consider yourself an author or even just write stuff for the heck of it then I think you should read Man and his Symbols.
Least favorite aspects: The edition I have is terrible, although it seems to be the only edition in print. The type was set so tiny I had to decode it! Someone, reprint this book in Helvetica or Garamond! It deserves it! I can't fault anything Jung or his followers say because they basically invented this way of looking at the world. It's not a perfect philosophy to say the least, but it is beautiful and thought-provoking and I appreciated it greatly.
Other works it reminded me of: I have never read a psych text before... so...
Sadie's merciless break-down: I haven't been reading much. I'm watching way too much tv (although Chuck and Fringe are done now) and when I am reading I've been on an old favorites kick. Sometimes you need a little Hilary McKay or Robin McKinley in your life. Very slowly during the last two weeks I've been picking my way through Jung. I was impressed. It was very crazy and had very limited science and probably should not be called psychology at all. But then again Jung was basically one of the founders of psych so we can excuse him for that because proper psychology did not exist when he wrote it.
You know what? Jung seems like a legit nice guy. I think I have a crush on him. (Except I am not allowed to because my sister does and she says I always steal her imaginary lovers. Except for Finn Hudson. I don't want him.) He was very gracious about religion and very respectful of it. Although he never said he himself was invested in any religion he admitted how important it was in society and how much the world depended on it and how greatly it impacted human thought and the universal symbols derived from it. I greatly appreciated that. He was the anti-Freud in that matter. Thanks, Jung. You and me baby, let's go interpret some dreams.
Recommendation rate: If you are interested in basic psych ideas or literary analysis or dream interpretation or fairy-tales then you need to read it.
