Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Freud, Jung , and Bathgate
In "Billy Bathgate" it would be not uncommon to find many different archetypes. Some characters even show two of these archetypes suggesting another one of Jung's philosophies, the duality of man. Billy Bathgate for example could be seen as the Child, since he is the youngest of the gang and only the age of sixteen. Everything to him is that of new experiences. Dutch Schultz could be seen as the Superman or even the Cosmic Man. He is the head of the gang and displays his power and is told through Billy's eyes as a sort of super human man. After his death Billy still considers all knowledge and everything he experienced through being in the gang so Dutch Schultz's presence is still around even though he has died. The Mentor is a rather easy one to figure out. Otto "Abbacadaba" Berman taught Billy Bathgate the ropes and looked out for him as much as possible. Berman tries to teach Billy what to do and what not to do for most of the story. Since Billy's mother is not, shes crazy, altogether the role of the Mother almost becomes that of Miss Preston/Drew/Lulu. When she uses the name Miss Drew she is Dutch Schultz's girl and the governess to Billy Bathagte. She orders his clothes and takes on a motherly role. Although they have a love affair she then is referred to as Miss Preston suggesting the duality of man, Billy Bathgate and Miss Preston become the Divine Couple. Meanwhile Billy Bathgate has sworn to Bo that he will protect suggesting the archetypal character of the Hero. He gets Miss Preston out of harms way at the race track when he calls her "husband." The Jungian philosophy is very apparent in "Billy Bathgate."
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E.L. Doctorow
2 comments:
I went along with somewhat the same idea as you, where Billy is the young one and doesn't really understand all that the gang entails, and its his "id" that gives him these desires to be one of them. Then I said that Dutch is the ego (differing from what you said about the "cosmic" one). I said he is the ego because he knows very well what he is doing. I said that the superego force is lacking, though they have one, they do not act upon it. The "id" and "ego" are much more prominent. I like what you said, it gives me reassurance that I'm thinking somewhat along the same lines as others.
I completely agree that there is a major heirachy going on in the novel and that dutch schultz is at the top. i also agree that there is Jungian philosophy going on in the novel as well. I amianly think you are correct about the whole gang in general and how Billy fits in at the bottom of the totem pole.
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