Study of Psychological Dualism in Post-war Transitional Era in Hesse‟s Steppenwolf

Abstract

This research paper explores the distortions of individual’s psyche in a post-war transitional political juncture based on Herman Hesse’s Steppenwolf. It studies the deviation in the protagonist’s (Harry Haller) normal life followed by his discontent towards the changes seen in the overlapping phase. While reading this book from psychological and political perspectives, Haller’s deteriorating condition has become inevitable not because he is not following the change but because he denies to submit to the voice of crowd who hanker after the change. This lack of submission has caused insurmountable sufferings in his life, devastating his social and psychological integration. Thus, the primary aim of this study is to probe into the internal conflict of an individual and identify the reasons behind his/her deterioration at the moment of phasic instability. To this end, the paper answers the questions regarding the instability of contradictions formed after war (not specified in the novel); and shows resulting impacts on individuals. It also focuses on how the affected individual reforms himself in a newly formed era. For this, it makes a study of psychological and political dimensions of social formation. It approaches the dimensions through the study of Gustave Le Bon’s mass psychology; Edward Bernays’ implementation of propaganda; and Michel Foucault’s concept of discursive formation, madness and hermeneutics of subject. The paper comes to a finding that a shift in era comprises of manipulation of conscience and forming a collective unconscious where a projected crowd is oriented. Resistance towards the transition invites further bondage as an individual cannot flee power play.