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Werner’s Pursuit of Positive Freedom – An Analysis of >All the Light We Cannot See< from the Perspective of Fromm’s Theory of Freedom, Master thesis, World Literature, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, Liaoning, China [application of Fromm’s theories to art].

  • The young American novelist Anthony Doerr spent ten years creating >All the Light We Cannot See<, which won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Literature for its subtle storyline and beautiful writing upon its publication. The novel tells the story of Werner, an orphan who embarks on the way of negative freedom due to his ignorance to the world and his worship of authoritarianism, and eventually breaks free from various fetters to gain true freedom. The German humanist philosopher Fromm constructs the unique theory of freedom based on psychoanalysis and Marxism. The negative freedom and positive freedom he proposed constitute the core of his theory of freedom. Fromm argues that the removal of external obstacles does not imply true freedom because it does not guarantee the realization of true development of man’s own power. Instead, positive freedom is the essence of freedom, and true freedom can be fully achieved only when man fully exerts his power of spontaneity and creativity and establishes a close connection with the world. Based on Fromm’s theory of freedom, this thesis interprets the manifestations of Werner’s descent into negative freedom in terms of authoritarianism, destructiveness, and automaton conformity. In addition, this thesis addresses three periods of Werner’s pursuit of positive freedom, namely, the beginning period of conscience awakening, the critical period of spontaneous development, and the realization period of positive freedom. True freedom can be achieved only when man lives spontaneously as a complete subject. Negative freedom brings Werner anxiety and loneliness, so he sets out to pursue positive freedom. Ultimately, Werner achieves self-identity and positive freedom through love, creative work and rational faith. The purpose of this thesis is to reveal that freedom from bondage and obstacles offers us only negative freedom, which seems to bring a sense of security but is followed by endless loneliness and nothingness. Unlike negative freedom, positive freedom provides a true sense of happiness and belonging based on self-actualization. We should acknowledge the existence of negative freedom and strive to achieve true freedom through spontaneous love and creative activity. [Translation: www.cnki.net, 9/2022]

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Metadaten
Author:Jinrong Wu
Document Type:Dissertations
Language:Chinese
Year of first Publication:2022
Release Date:2024/04/04
Format:no download and copy possible
IdNo:Wu_Jinrong_2022
Writings about Erich Fromm (Secondary Literature):Dissertations / Dissertationen
Erich Fromm's Library and Erich Fromm Archive:Dissertations / Dissertationen
Licence (German):
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