Contemporary Solitude: The Joy and Pain of Being Alone

by Joanne Wieland-Burston

This text by Jungian analyst Wieland-Burston explores the powerful contradictory facets of our need and fear of solitude. Solitude can be a nourishment, and a hunger - we need it, and suffer from it and seek and avoid it at different times in our lives. Concepts of personal existential solitude are examined through a theoretical and historical framework - from biblical references of Jesus going into the wilderness through to the heroic solitude of the romantic movement, from Nietzsche's Superman standing alone to the modern urban experience of the collapse of community and the fracturing of the traditional family unit - the author illustrates the search and retreat into solitude with case histories to show that while we need to be comfortable in being alone, it is equally important to understand that by using solitude as a block to relating, we may block the process of development. Psychologists, students and cognitive scientists may find this of value.

Genres: Psychology

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een op de klassieke psychoanalyse gestoelde verhandeling die zich jammer genoeg beperkt tot enkele zeer specifieke cases en de zeer doorgedreven analyses van enkele sprookjes en verhalen, maar erin ontbreekt algemene wetenschappelijke consensus duidelijk te behandelen. Desondanks interessant, al is het maar om mee de denkoefeningen te doen

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not having heard or read anything about this book I went into it totally blank, except that it sounded like a good book on a very interesting topic: Solitude. To my surprise, it was a really solid psychology book in the Jungian tradition that really exceeded any expectation. Yes, it was at times a bit slow, but mostly it was comprehensive and I felt the author mastered the subject with grace. She is able to see both the good and the bad with solitude because being alone can be both, dependent on the situation. For one who has been much alone and has experienced a lot of solitude, there was a lot to gain by reading this book in order to gain perspectives.