ndividuation, defined by Carl Jung as “coming into selfhood, or self-realization” (CW 7, para. 266), lies at the heart of any Jungian analytic process and represents the essence of Jung’s approach to psychological life. This seminar will examine E. E. Cummings’ extraordinary biography through selected poems that reflect his individuation process from early childhood until his death and that mirror many of Jung’s ideas about the psyche. The study of poetry can heighten our awareness of metaphor, underlying layers of meaning, and the articulation of affective states, which are intrinsic to analytic work.
Learning objectives:
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Describe Jung’s concept of individuation.
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Identify the relationship between the individuation process and a poet’s unique use of language.
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Give an example of three Jungian concepts as evidenced in selected poems.
