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Title ASTRAL PROJECTION AND BLURRING OF BOUNDARIES BETWEEN REAL AND UNREAL: A STUDY OF ARCHETYPES IN BEHIND HER EYES AND STRANGER WITH MY FACE

Author(s) Sara Tabassum

Abstract Title: Astral Projection and the Blurring of Boundaries between Real and the Unreal: A Study of Archetypes in Behind Her Eyes and Stranger with My Face This research examines Sarah Pinborough’s Behind Her Eyes (2017) and Lois Duncan’s Stranger with My Face (1982), focusing on how archetypal influences, rooted in the collective unconscious, drive the use of astral projection and consequently distort the characters’ perception of reality. The study draws upon Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes and Susan J. Blackmore’s exploration of astral projection to investigate the ways in which deeply embedded archetypal symbols guide characters’ behavior and psychological development. Archetypes, being a fundamental part of the collective unconscious, persist across generations and surface through individual psyches, shaping thoughts, emotions and actions. When characters engage with these unconscious forces, they cross into unknown territories where the boundaries between reality and illusion collapse, giving rise to liminal spaces that challenge their sense of self and the external world. It may also lead to identity confusion, behavioral transformation, and emotional disintegration. The study employs Catherine Belsey’s model of textual analysis to conduct a detailed analysis of the selected texts, examining how astral projection becomes a tool through which archetypal forces manifest and disrupt ordinary life. The findings reveal that characters such as Rob, Adele, Lia, and Laurie are deeply influenced by archetypal patterns, particularly the Shadow and Trickster, which push them towards actions that distort reality. Their psychological disconcertment, identity crises, and behavioral shifts result directly from their interactions with the astral realm, where they experience a loss of control over their material existence. This research contributes to both literary and psychological studies by demonstrating how speculative fiction provides a meaningful space to explore the influence of unconscious archetypal drives on individual behavior and perception.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2025-05-22

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