Fictional Manifestations of Multiple Personality in Selected Works of Miguel de Unamuno

Author

Jerry L. Benbow

Publication Date

4-30-1970

Abstract

This study, which grew out of an interest in the recurrent theme of multiple personality in the prose of Miguel de Unamuno, first attempts to define multiple personality in the scientific fields of psychology and psychiatry, subsequently examines depictions of multiple personality in world literature, and finally studies in depth the manifestations of the phenomenon in selected works of Unamuno. Multiple personality in psychology and psychiatry is defined beginning with an examination of the behavioristic, mechanistic-adjustive, and holistic-dynamic approaches to personality theory. Attention is then given to the contributions of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Alfred Adler to personality theory. After a summary of modern psychology's views of schizophrenia, multiple personality, dissociative reactions, and the concept of "self," there is a brief resume of actual case histories furnished by such figures as Prince, Thigpen, and Cleckley. Consideration of multiple personality in world literature consists of commentary on the relationship between psychology and literature, a study of the devil-double in fiction, and a presentation of examples from the works of twenty authors ranging from Johann Goethe to Shirley Jackson. Manifestations of multiple personality are studied in six representative works of Unamuno. Amor y pedagogía is analyzed as an example of the scientifically created personality as opposed to the naturally developed personality. Niebla presents the problem of determining the very existence of the personality with all its facets. The tragic conflict between the strong, self-sufficient self and the truly whole and multi-faceted personality is the point stressed in the study of Nada menos que todo un hombre. The evil personality which takes control of the good selves of Joaquín Monegro in Abel Sánchez is the basis for an examination of the processes of the personality dissociation of the protagonist. La tía Tula furnishes material for an evaluation of the struggle between a woman's maternal self and her feminine self after the former becomes obsessively dominant. Finally. Unamuno's drama El Otro is studied in detail as the ultimate fictional expression of the author's interest in the entire question of one's other selves and the relationships between or among them. There is no intention or attempt to link the phenomenon of multiple personality to the life or personality of Unamuno himself, nor is any conclusion drawn as to the author's controlling purpose in writing any of the pieces discussed. The purpose of the study is solely to show that the question of multiple personality was of great interest to Unamuno, and the comments and conclusions concerning the works examined show the techniques used by the author to create fictional characters who exhibit such personality aberrations.

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

First Committee Member (Chair)

Pelayo Hipolito Fernández

Second Committee Member

Ned J. Davison

Third Committee Member

Sabine R. Ulibarrí

Recommended Citation

Benbow, Jerry L.. "Fictional Manifestations of Multiple Personality in Selected Works of Miguel de Unamuno." (1970). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/fll_etds/181