A Native Tale and Miss Frank Miller’s Fantasies-How The Psyche Guides
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Jungsays,“Weareconfronted,ateverynewstageinthe
differentiationofconsciousnesstowhichcivilizationattains,withthetask
offindinganewinterpretationappropriatetothisstage,inorderto
connectthelifeofthepastthatstillexistsinuswiththelifeofthepresent,
whichthreatenstoslipawayfromit”[CW 9i,par.267].
Thepsychearousesanditreveals.Whatslumbersinthe
unconsciouspropelsitselfintoconsciousreality.Wefollowthisjourney
withitsmythologicalparallelsasreenactedintheMissMillerfantasies.
JungusestheminCollectedWorksVtoillustratetheconceptsofthe
archetypesandthecollectiveunconscious,richwithitssymboliclanguage.
Thesespontaneousexpressionsofthepsycherevealastoryofhuman
natureandconnecttotheformerworldsthathaveinformationforours.
JungusesandamplifiesthefantasiesofMissMillertoillustratethe
processofindividuationasdifferentiatedfromFreud’sinterpretations.
Junghypothesizedthatlibidoisnon‐specificpsychicenergy,arguingthat
sexualitywasbutoneformofthisenergy.Thislookatherfantasiesone
hundredyearslaterwillalsomeantheyareperceiveddifferently.
Theessenceofherfantasiesliesintheirimagesaboutlife,whatis
lacking,whatwantsattention,whatspiritandinstinctisoutofsync.Jung
frequentlysaysMissMillerneededconnectiontothefeminineand
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creativity.Thismeantencounteringthetrialsbroughtaboutthroughlove,
risk,deathandtragedy.Thefantasiesbringtolighttherealityofthe
psycheandtheimaginationasavibrantguidethroughnotonlythe
oppositesbutalsodifferentiation.Arangeofimagesreflectpsychological
difficultiesandpossiblesolutions.[Adams,2006]
Jungsays:"It[thearchetype]persiststhroughouttheagesand
requiresinterpretinganew.Thearchetypesareimperishableelementsof
theunconscious,buttheychangetheirshapecontinually"(CW 9i, para
301).Thequotereferstothearchetypalpatternsasexpressionsof
psychologicalrebirth,transformationandrenewal.Hesayssincethe
psycheismoreorlessthesameeverywherewhatlookslikeindividual
motifscanbecomparedtomythsofwhateverorigin.[CW5,p.313]These
appearthroughthestagesofseparation,differentiation,dismemberment
andre‐unification.
AndrewSamuelstakesatwistoninterpretingthearchetypal
constructioninthepsychewhenhesays,“whatisarchetypalisnottobe
foundinanyparticularimageorlistofimagesthatcanbetaggedas
[animus],trickster,shadowandsoon.Ratheritisintheintensityof
affectiveresponsetoanygivenimageorsituationthatwefindwhatis
archetypal.Thiscanbesomethingverysmallscale,notcominginapre‐
packagedarchetypalormythicform.Whatstirsyouatanarchetypallevel
dependsonyouandwhereyousitandhowyoulookatthingsandonyour
personalhistory.Thearchetypalthereforecanberelative,contextualand
personal”[Baumlin,2004,p.xiv].
Thecollectiveunconsciousisourpsychicinheritance,areservoirof
ourexperiencesasaspeciesandakindofinherentknowledge,influencing
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ourexperiencesandbehaviors.Thearchetypesexistinthisplacewhere
humanity'smemories,dreams,andreflectionsresideinapoolofimages,
feelings,andthoughts.Thearchetypeupdateseacherawithitsparticular
psychologicalperspectives.Jungexpressesthelanguageofthe
unconsciousinthesewords:“thepsychecreatesrealityeveryday.The
onlyexpressionIcanuseforthisactivityisfantasy”[CW6,1921,p.52].
ThefantasiesofMissMiller,anAmerican,acostumelecturerinher
earlytwentiesin1906,areusedbyJungtoillustratethearchetypalrootsand
symbolsunitinguspsychologically,givingexpressiontotheperenniallife
dilemmas.SymbolsofTransformationconsistedofJung’sreflections,
amplificationsandmythologicalparallelshebroughttoherfantasies.
FantasiessodevelopedandtightlywovenalsoillustratetheNativeAmerican
Cultureatthefoundationofthisland,aperspectivemoreandmorenecessary
tocompensateourtechnologicalworld.“Individuation,becomingaself,isnot
onlyaspiritualproblem,itistheproblemofalllife”[CW12,1968,para163].
JungdidnotseeMissMillerasapatientbutreadaboutherfantasies
throughTheodoreFlourneyinFrancewhowroteanintroductiontoher
dissertation.Jungdidnotpresenthisworkwithpatientsasevidencefor
histheories,ashethoughttheprogresswouldbeassignedtosuggestion
ratherthanfact.ToestablishtheproofforhistheoriesJungused
comparativehistoricalandcross‐culturalstudiestoverifythe
individuationprocess,likewithMissMiller’sfantasies.
Theyreflectherinterestinthehistoryofpre‐ColumbianAmerica.
Fromthem,hedraftedhisownassociationstoherstory,andinaddition,
predictedapsychologicaldecline.Indeed,in1909MissMillerwas
hospitalizedduetoexhaustion.Shewasdiagnosedwithhypomaniaanda
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goodprognosisbutalsowithpsychopathictraitsthathadabadprognosis.
Atentrancetothehospitalshewasdescribedasunstable,erotic,vainand
fromabadfamily.Attheendofaweekshewasdischargedtoheraunt
whotookhertoaprivatesanatorium.[Shamdasani,1990]Miss Miller
exemplified the tragic fate suffered by non-traditional women in the Victorian
period, their independence and creative spirits punished, shamed, and even
institutionalized
MeaninglessnesswasadiseasethatJungrecognizedinhiseraandis
moreprevalentnow.SurelyMissMiller’sproblemsapplytoourcurrent
timeandillustratethatblockageinonearealeadstoaflowordamningup
inanother.Wearefacedwiththenecessityoflisteningtonatureandthe
instinctsforourpsychologicaldevelopment.
SometimeafterwritinghisanalysisoftheMillerfantasiesJung
recognizedthatMissMillerwasacarrierofhisownfeminineprojectionsand
assuchaninnerfigure:"ItookMissMiller'sfantasiesas...anautonomous
formofthinking,butIdidnotrealize[atthattime]thatshestoodforthat
formofthinkinginmyself.Shetookovermyfantasyandbecamethestage
directorofit,ifoneinterpretsthebooksubjectively....toputitevenmore
strongly,passivethinkingseemedtomesuchaweakandpervertedthingthat
Icouldonlyhandleitthroughadiseasedwoman."[Shamdasani,2012,pp.27‐
28]
Hegoesontosay,“andsoIassimilatedtheMillersideofmyself,
whichdidmemuchgood.Ifoundalumpofclay,turnedittogoldandput
itinmypocket.IgotMillerintomyselfandstrengthenedmyfantasy
powerbythemythologicalmaterial”[Shamdasani,2012,p.32].Theseare
harshwordsabouthiscountertransferenceandreflectpartofthebiases
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shapingJung’sviewpointsandinterpretations.Howwedealwiththe
fantasiesofthoseinourconsultingroomsistheshadowquestionbrought
upwithinthismaterial.
Obviously,awoman’spsychologycannotbediscernedthrough
Jung’sfeminineside.Womanisnotonlylunarnorerosnorfeeling,buta
combinationofthefeminineenergyfromwhichantiquatedtheoriesare
updated.[Douglas,p.103]ThefantasiesofMissMillerpointtoadarker
andperhapsevendepressivepath,adescentintotheshadowsandthe
femininelyingthere.[Douglas,p.230]Itisinthisspace,formerly
disdainedandrepressed,perhapslikeforMissMiller,thatauthenticity
andcreativityexist.
However,Jungmirroredtheprejudiceofhiserabybeingmaleand
thatshapedhisconstructofreality.[Douglas,p.83]Thisculturallyblinded
himtothewomenwhosefantasiesandvisionsheexamined.Thefantasies
showthatMissMillerwastryingtorecoverherfeminineselfandexpress
theenergyforexploringthehiddenandregressedtoempowerher
creativity.[Douglas,p.89]Wemightconjecturethatthroughherfeeling
functionMissMillercouldbridgebacktothefemininepotencysomissing
intheculture.Jungandhiseradidnotexpectthiskindofpowerfromthe
unconsciousaspectsofawoman.[Douglas,p.91]
SymbolsofTransformationpresentsJung'sconclusionsaboutMiss
Millerandherfantasiesasclingingtoachildlikeworldandwithdrawing
fromthechallengeslifewassettingbeforeher.Onthetripawayfromher
homeshedreamedthe"SongofCreation"andtheprayerof"TheMothto
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theSun,"whereitwassaidshewouldhavetowait"10,000moons"forthe
onewhowouldtrulyunderstandher.[Shamdasani,1990]
Jungpresentstheideathatindividualneedsaresignificantfor
humankindandforfindingmeaningandpurpose.Mythology,bygivingus
asetofsymbols,isoneofthewayswecreatemeaning.Wenaturallythink
instoryasthisishowweremembertheeventsinourownlives,howwe
interpretmeaninginthelivesofothersandworldevents.Archetypal
patternsandtheiramplificationshelpintheinitiationsthroughlife,
enteringthewombofchange,dyingtothepast,andtakinganewpathway.
Itentailsengagingwiththeunknownelementsnotseparatingfromthem.
[Adams,2006|
ThefantasiesofMissMiller,acenturyago,revealawomancaughtin
acomplexpsychologicalconundrum.Herpsychecallshertoattendtothe
partsattachedtonatureandtheimaginalrealms.Beinginternallyoff
balance,thewoundshavehurtherintoimaginingthesecreationmyths.
Theenergyinsidebuiltandtheunexploredbeckonedastheoldways
woreout.
Throughouthistoryandinandoutofouranalyticalpractices,people
havevisionsandfantasies,expressingvariousaspectsofthepsycheand
theprocessofitsdevelopment.Thesymbolstransformlibidowhileatthe
sametimeseizingthepersonality.[CW5,p.232}Troublebeginswhenwe
becomeoveridentifiedwithacertainpersonaoregoimagethatwethink
weneedbutthatactuallyconstrictsandsuffocates.Thiscreatesone‐
sidednessandisacatalystforalifecrisisthatmightcauseustogrow,
matureanddevelopbeyondtheknown.
Personalnarratives,likeMissMiller’s,displaythesuppressed
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aspectsofthesoul,theneedforhealingandthesearchformeaning.Along
theselines,Jungsaid,"Womantoday...givesexpressionto...theurgetolive
acompletelife,alongingformeaningandfulfillment,agrowingdisgust
withsenselessone‐sidedness,withunconsciousinstinctualityandblind
contingency"(CW10,p.130).Thefantasies,astheyapplytofeminineself‐
realization,signalaneededchangeandattempttoredeemthepsyche.
MissMiller’sarefullofimagesofnature,thenaturalprocessesoflife,and
theinstinctsforbeing.Theycontainasenseofaweyetalsorequirea
psychologicaldescentthatcanbebotharduousandprecarious.
Individuationhastodowithdifferentiatingoneself,ofnoting,
accessingandusingtheparticularsandpeculiaritiesofone’s
personality.[Samuels,1989,p.97]Itisnotwhatawomanisdefinedasby
othersbutwhatsheisreallylike,awoman'sexperienceofherpersonal,
generationalandculturalchallenges,signifyingherdepthandreflection.
Thishighlightsthetypeofarchetypalimagesthatgovernthepsyche,
imageschangingwithtimeandinfluencingculturalandsocial
constructions.
UnrequitedLove
MissMiller’sfantasiescanbeperceivedasherattemptatmoving
intoanotherstageofwomanhood.Chiwantopel,theheroinhermyth
signifieswhatmustdie.AsaNativeAmericanhemightrepresentaguide,
ashadowfigure,theunknownandunfamiliaraspectthatcomesfrom
nature,apartoftheunconsciouspreviouslyinaccessibleandunknownto
MissMiller.Jungherenotes[CW5onp.285]thatgrowingbeyondoneself
meansadeath.He[CW5p.309]saysChiwantopelwinsthesoulofMiss
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Millerandcallshimthebridegroomofdeath,aghostlyloverwhodraws
herfromlife.Infact,theproblemcouldbemitigatedifshecomprehended
theunconsciouscontents.Thefiguresinthefantasyaresymbolicofwhat
shemustconfront.Chiwantopeldoeswhatshehastodo.Heisa
compensatoryfigure,likeindreams,andleaveshometoseekhislove.
FromtheperspectiveofMissMiller’spsyche,herfantasyprovidesa
guideintheformofChiwantopeltotakeherthroughadifficultpassage.
RatherthanreducingChiwantopeltoadescriptoroftheanimus,wecan
sayheprovidesawaythatischallengingifsheisuptothetask.Ifheis
onlyananimusfigurethiswouldbemechanisticandoutofdate.Itmight
furthercheapenthisconceptfraughtwithdispute,certainlyasJung
classicallydescribedit—opinionated,narrow,unwise,unsubstantiated,
notintellectualortoointellectualandsoon.Offensivetomany,these
descriptionsseemroteandsimplifythepsyche.Whatcouldbeintriguing
andmeaningfulisthenstrippedofsubstance.Yet,wecansaythatlike
withadream,herevealstraitsofhercharacterthatarepartofhermental
andemotionalillsandsolutions.
Repressioncomesfromtryingtodenydesiresandalsoisbasicto
themakingofaneurosis.Insuchasituation,theegohastobetranscended
foranychangetooccur.Yet,inaninfantilestatetheegodoesnotallow
anythingmorewondrousthanitselfandthenbecomesrigidwithcontrol,
resultinginsterility,notcreativity.Therepressionineffectforcesthenew
thingintotheunconscious.And,ifthepersonalitygetsstuck,cannotform
intoaction.Aswesee,forMissMiller,theregressiveactionoftheego,
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likenedtothereturntochildhood,isrelatedtoaninnocencethatmustbe
sacrificed.
Jungcommentsthatthestruggleagainstwhatseemslike
overwhelmingoddshastodowithcreation,thatisabattlebetween
affirmationandnegation.[CW5p.48]Hesaysthisshowsherproblemisa
questionofhowtobecreative.[cw5,p.59]And,MissMiller’shymncould
representanentirelynaturalandautomaticattemptoftransformationas
hesays,“Wewoulddowell,therefore,tothinkofthecreativeprocessasa
livingthingimplantedinthehumanpsyche.’[CW15,p.75]
Thehesitationtolaunchintolife,asseeninherfantasyoftheMoth
andSun,showsalongingfordevelopmentthatcanbebeautifulbualso
destructive.Thedangerisgreatasthefearoflifeisencounteredbrininga
descentintotheshadows.MissMillerlocatestheenergyforthisin
Chiwantopelandhiswaysfornegotiatingthenaturalworld.Thisfigure
arisingfromunconsciousdrawsMissMillerbackandcheckstheforward
strivingoftheconsciousmind.
AsJungsays,‘thedemandoftheunconsciousatfirstactslikea
paralyzingpoison…sothatitmightbecomparedtothebiteofapoisonous
snake”[CW5,p.298].Thefantasies,visionsanddreamsofinner
dissension,thetrialsforattemptingunionandtheresistancesoccur
acrossthelifecycle.MissMiller’sfantasiesshowthecreativemediating
betweenmatterandenergy,natureandinstinct,bodyandpsyche.Jung
usedthemtosubstantiatetherelationshipbetweentheindividualandthe
eternalandbackagaininthearchetypalprocessingofdevelopmentcalled
individuation.
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JungopinesthatMissMillerwascaughtinherpastandunableto
moveforward.“She started out in the world with averted face…and all the
while the world and life pass pay her like a dream—an annoying source of
illusions, disappointments, and irritations” [Jung, 1990, par. 185].This quote
describes her lack of understanding or dealing with the fear. The fearsome
situations, monsters, people appear as a paradoxical motivator for change and
expansion of the personality. Of course, they also cause us to contract.
Many times we do not fully realize how hounded we are by fear. It
affects our ability for intimacy with self and others in subtle and not so subtle
ways. Miss Miller’s task is to get into these fears. By doing so, she might be
able to embark on her journey including love.Yet,sheneededtorelivethe
pasttomovethroughitandthefactofthesefantasiesspontaneously
arisingrequiredheraction.JungcommentsinMDRthattheimagesofthe
unconsciousplaceagreatresponsibilityuponus.[p.172]
Failuretounderstandthesymbolsimposesasenseof
fragmentarinessuponlife,sufferedbywhatcanbecalledthehalf‐alive
people.[Samuels,1986]Thisreferstothosewhoaretrapped,longingand
needingtocometolifebutnotknowinghow.Thesymbolsthatcometo
theforepropelustothinkandevaluateratherthanjustfollowthe
collective.
TheMothtotheSun
"IlongedfortheewhenfirstIcrawledtoconsciousness.
MydreamswerealloftheewheninthechrysalisIlay.
Oftmyriadsofmykindbeatouttheirlives
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Againstsomefeeblesparkoncecaughtfromthee.
Andonehourmore‐‐andmypoorlifeisgone;
Yetmylasteffort,asmyfirstdesire,shallbe
Buttoapproachthyglory;then,havinggained
Onerapturedglance,I'lldiecontent.
ForI,thesourceofbeauty,warmthandlife
Haveinhisperfectsplendoroncebeheld."[CW5,p.79]
Thefantasyrevealsanapprehensionandtemporarinessaboutwhat
itistoemergefromthechrysalis.Inthefantasyshe,likethemoth,does
notendurebeyondaflickeringmoment.Anunderlyingquestionmightbe
ifsheknowshowtoloveorlivewithendurance.
TheMillerfantasiesportraythebasiclifethemesofrenewaland
deathandrevealthedynamicsoftheuncertainmomentsencountered
withintheprocess.Theeventsandpersonsofhertalemakeusawareof
thecreativeanddestructiveaspectswithinthepsyche,especiallywhen
theperson’spsychicsystemisnotexperiencedasstabileorharmoniously
ordered.[Samuels,1986,p.223]MissMillerseemsinsecure,anxiousand
subjecttothechaoticforceswithin,situationsthatpartiallyfueledthe
fantasieswhileatthesametimesignaledthatanotherdirectionmustbe
taken.
Theseparationandleavingfamily,thefearthiselicits,andthe
attemptstounitewithChiwantopeldetailMissMiller’sstrivingsfor
individuation.Theheroineandherodescribedinherfantasiesencounter
hazardousforcesandpresenttheconflictbetweenconsciousnessandthe
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unconscious.Jungcomments,“Natureherselfdemandsadeathanda
rebirthwithconsiderablepsychiceffects.Butthesymbolhastobe
understoodanditsunconsciouspurposeorintentionassimilatedinto
consciousness.Itbringsaboutadeepeningofinterdependencebetween
thepersonalegoandtheculturalsymbols.Thesesymbolsarealways
thereatfirstundifferentiatedandthengraduallyunderstoodasthey
returntobeusedbythepersonalityintheconstructionofnewmeaning”
[CW9i,para234].
Thejourneyintothebottomofwoundednessinvolvesmeetingup
withtheinnerdissidents,takingoneselfseriouslyalongwiththeriskof
beingoverwhelmed.Nothingseemsdependableandchaosandterror
reign.Weloseourgripandplummetintotheveryanxietyweflee.Wecan
playtrickstricksonourselvesaswetrytoforgetthewounds.However,
tryingsoassiduouslytoescape,adarkerrealitycomesthroughthechinks
inourdefensesystem.LikeMissMiller,atthesetimeswemightheara
voicethatisstrongeranddifferentfromtheego.Jungdescribesthisas,
“thearchetypes,likeallnuminouscontents,arerelativelyautonomous,
theycannotbeintegratedsimplybyrationalmeans,butrequirea
dialecticalprocedure,arealcomingtotermswiththem”[FourArchetypes
p.5].MissMiller’sdialoguebeganwithwritingthefantasies.
MissMiller’svisions,thespontaneousimagesfromthepsyche,
revealtheego'sanxiety,defensivereactionsandresistance.Shesitsata
precipiceandfurtherdevelopmentrestsonworkingwiththeunconscious,
imagedthroughwhathappensandwhatdoesnothappeninthefantasies.
TheNativeAmericanguidesMissMillertofindarelationshipwithnature
andwhatthismeansfortheexpansionofherpersonality.Natureisraw
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andinspireswonderaswellasfearwhileprovidingthehealingbalm.The
woundsandhurtsmightbetransformedthroughfindingthepurposeand
directiontofollow.Psychologicallywhenaninnersituationisnotmade
conscious,ithappensoutsideasfate.Whenanindividualremains
undividedanddoesnotbecomeconsciousoftheinneropposites,the
worldactsouttheconflictandonecanbetornintoopposinghalves.[CW9
ii,p.126]
Processedbyfear
MissMiller’spsycheinchoosingthefigureofChiwantopelparallels
theHymnofHiawatha,portrayingalifestyleandtimedifferentinalmost
allaspectsfromherownbackgroundandexposuretolifethusfar.The
MissMillerfantasiesalignwiththeSongofHiawatha,a16thcentury
Iroquoileader.Hiawatha[CW5,p.323]hastwomothers,israisedbythe
shoresofthelakeGitcheGumeeandlearnsthelanguageoftheanimals,
thelakeandthesoundsofnature.ForHiawatha,thedangercomesboth
fromthefatherwhointhelegendmakesregressionimpossibleandfrom
themotherwhoabsorbstheregressinglibidoandkeepsittoherself,so
thathewhosoughtrebirthfindsdeath.[CW5,p.331]
Moreover,JungreferstoMissMillerneedingtoconnecttothe
feminine.[CW5,page284]SinceweknowlittleofthepersonallifeofMiss
Miller,asmentionedearlier,wecanonlyassumethisconnectionwas
weakenedandleadstoquestionsofherexperienceofmother,mothering
andthematernal.MissMillermayrepresenttheKorearchetype
embodyingarangeoffemininefiguresandaddingthedimensionsof
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timelessness,continuity,growth,achievement,progressandevolution.
[Douglas,p.246]Thechange,incubation,descent,unitingofupperand
lower,youngandold,leadstounderstandinganddifferentiating.Images
thatcomeindreamsandfantasiesportraydiverseculturesandhelp
recoverlostaspectsofthefeminine.Ittakesreflection,introspectionand
innerturningforanintegrationthatdoesnotsacrificeindependence.The
questgoesbeyondtheknownandpropelsherintodifficult,solitary,and
evenunsupportedpositions.
Partofthevision:“ThefigureofChi‐wan‐to‐pelcomesupfromthe
south,onhorseback,wrappedinablanketofbrightcolors,red,blue,and
white.AnIndian,dressedinbuckskin,beadedandornamentedwithfeather,
creepsforwardstealthily,makingreadytoshootanarrowatChi‐wan‐to‐
pel,whobareshisbreasttohiminanattitudeofdefiance;andtheIndian,
fascinatedbythissight,slinksawayanddisappearsintotheforest”[CW5,p.
274].
Chiwantopeloffershimselfforthearrowshotthatisself‐exposing
anddangerous.Thedeathbypiercingsymbolizesanactofunionwith
oneself,aself‐fertilization.Beingwoundedbyone’sarrowrepresentsa
typeofintroversionwhereonesinksintothedepths.Jungaddsthatthe
sufferingisnotonlypersonalbutrepresentsthearchetypalandcollective
spiritoftheera.[CW5,p.294]
Jungreferstotheheroandhishorse,themanandtheinstinctas
MissMiller’sidealprojectedontothemasculineandthatitshould
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transferontothefeminine.[CW5,p.284]Jungfurtherexpandsonthe
annihilationofthisherobittenbyagreensnake.Thesnake,indicatinga
dangeroussituationoftheconsciousmind,bitesthehorseaswell.
Symbolically,thesnakeisfoundinhealingandfertilityrites,represents
connectiontothepast,theearth,theinstincts,themagicandmysterious.
Withsomanymeanings,itdependsonone’sattitude,aswithmost
psychologicalstages,symbolsandevents,whetherthesnakeisdangerous
orhelpful.Junggoesontosay:“fearoflife,projectedandunconscious,the
younggrowingpartofthepersonality,ifprevented,generatesfearand
changesintofear.Thefear…isthedeadlyfearoftheinstinctive,
unconsciousinner[man]cutofffromlifebythecontinualshrinkingback
fromreality…Thedemandsoftheunconsciousactatfirstlikeaparalyzing
poisononaman’senergyandresourcefulness,sothatitmaywellbe
comparedtothebiteofapoisonoussnake”[CW5,p.298].
JunginterpretsthatMissMillerdoesnotunderstandtheenormityof
whatishappeningtoher.Inrelationtothis,healsocommentsthatthe
serpentoftimecreepsforward.[CW5,p.397]Inherfantasy,theherodies
andJungreferstothisasasacrificeoftheregressiveandinfantilereverie.
[CW5,p.414]Whenanidealfigureisabouttochange,itdiessettingoff
manyotherpsychologicaldeaths.Again,thisoccursthroughoutthelife
cycleaswecontinuetogrowbeyondourknownselves.Intheprocess,the
egostructurespreviouslyinplacedissolve,causingareleaseofemotions
andalterationinexperiencesbothconsciouslyandunconsciously.Fearsof
theunknownarise,themasktothetrueselfdisappearsandweare
revealedforwhoweare,exposedandvulnerable,fragileandunableto
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handlethesituation.LikewithMissMiller,iftheriskisnottaken,the
meaningoflifeisviolated.[CW5,p.354]
Theissueisthattheherohastotransformratherthanremainideal.
Itisthroughthecorrectsacrificethatonefindsadedicationtolife."By
sacrificethevaluedobjectsofdesireandpossession,theinstinctivedesire,
orlibido,aregivenupinorderthatitmayberegainedinanewform.
Throughsacrificemanransomshimselffromthefearofdeath…andinthe
actofasacrificetheconsciousnessgivesupitspowerandpossessionsin
theinterestsoftheunconsciousrenunciation"[Jung,1956,p.432].
ItseemsMissMillerdoesnotrealizethesacrificerequired.
Chiwantopeldealswiththetrials,butiskilled.Thismightrepresentthe
qualitiesofMissMiller’sthatremainunintegratedorsplitoff,perhapsa
unionthatfailsrepresentingthehesitationtochange.Thismayindicatea
lackinthepsychiccontainerthatcannotyetchannelenergiesinacreative
direction.PerhapsMissMilleristoofragileandherworldoneofglass.
Thefantasiescontainedthemesofenchantmentandloss,the
strangeandyetnatural,connectingtosomethingbeyondherknown
world.Accordingtothefantasy,theactionandthehealingtakesplacein
nature.LiketheHandlessMaidenandmanyothertales,thefeminineheals
throughanintimaterelationshipwithnature,instinctsandthebody.
Thesearebasicforgroundingtheimaginationandthecreative,turningto
whatespeciallycallsher.“Wheneverconsciouslifebecomesone‐
sided…imagesrisetothesurfaceindreamsandinthevisionofartistsand
seerstorestorethepsychicbalance,whetheroftheindividualorthe
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epoch”[Jung,CW15,para160].
Chiwantopelisinsearchofhisbeloved,themeaningoflifetobe
foundinunionwithher.[CW5,p.306]So,hecriesout,“Inalltheworld
thereisnotasingleone!Ihavesearchedamongahundredtribes.Ihave
agedahundredmoonssinceIbegan…Temptationwilloftenassailhersoul,
butshewillnotyield.InherdreamsIshallcometoherandshewill
understand.Ihavekeptmybodyinviolate…[CW5,p.394]
Chiwantopeldyingmightrepresentashrinkingintoslothful
inactivityorbeingovercomewithlongingforthepastandthenparalyzed.
[CW5,p.349]MissMiller’svision,asinterpretedbyJung,showsan
intertwiningofloveanddeath,feelingsandissuesthattypicallyoccurat
theedgeoflifeadaptations.Theaccompanyingpsychologicalchange,the
introversionsandregressionshavethepossibilityofbringingforwardthe
naturalself.Forthis,MissMillerhastomakeconsciousthelibidoforlife.
Thiswouldextricateherfromthefamilycircleandintoherself.But,
Chiwantopeldyingimpliesthisdoesnothappen.[CW5,p.305]
Chiwantopelknowsasacrificeisrequired.Helongsforbutcannot
connectwithMissMillerorshetohim.Chiwantopel’strialsandinitiations
depictaprocess“amongtheprimordialaffirmationsofmankind,,.basedon
whatIcallarchetypes”[CW9i,para207].Thefantasiesareanexperience
presentedtoMissMiller,buthavingthemisnotenough.Shehastoface
theavoidanceslyingintheshadows.Yet,MissMillerisstoppedinher
tracks.Chiwantopeldies.Shehastoreassess,tofeelintowhatandwhere
sheshoulddevelop.Doesshehavethefortitudepsychologically?The
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stoppagegivesherachance.Yet,thefantasyalsoportraysafeminine,
perhapsimmature,thathasyettolearnthehardersidesofthepsyche.We
mightwonderaboutMissMiller’sprivatetragedies.Whatwouldbethe
treatment?Thefantasiesseemtohavearisenthroughalifecrisisthatleft
MissMillerdepletedratherthanenergized.Didtheyrepresentthehope
thatshewantedbutcouldnotaccess?
ThePuellaWomanandNature
MissMillerappearsinherfantasiesasagirl,aPuella,amaidenwith
afragileego.IsJungcorrectwhenhenotesshecannotmanagetheenergy
fromtheunconscious?Perhapsthisindicatesanessentialelementofthe
femininethatismissing.Inlightofthis,someinformationaboutthePuella
mightaddtoanunderstandingofthepsychologyofMissMillerandwhat
ismotivatingherfantasy.
MissMillerperceivedthroughthelensofthePuellaisthemaidenor
yet‐to‐be‐developedwomanwhodoesnotenterlifeseriouslyor
realistically.Shedoesnotaccessthefullrangeofherpsychological
equipmentfordoingthis,toooftencoveringovertheshadowparts.These
requireadescentandrecognitionforaccessingcreativityandlifeenergy.
[vonFranz2000]However,thePuellawomaniswithoutsufficient
connectiontohergroundofbeing,especiallyitsfeminineaspectsand
instincts.Oneresultisthatthecontactwithnature,herbodyandanything
physicalisoffbalance.Outoftouchwithfemininity,eventhoughshemay
lookthepart,sheiswithoutasolidfoundation.
18
ThePuellanaturehasavirginalquality,representingadeep
interiorityandfreedomfromexternalcontamination,asortofintact
psychethatprotectswhatisimmatureandunripe.[Hillman1989]A
shadowenvelopescreativityandexpressivenesssothatitgoesnowhere,
yettheshadowalsocontainsthepartsforcomingtofruition.Wrappedin
self‐denialandself‐doubt,shecannotaccesshergifts.Theproblemisthat
whenthepotentialityofthepsycheisnotuseditbecomesperverted.
[Leonard,1983]
Impenetrableisanotherwayofsayingthis.Ontheonehand,asense
ofinterioritysupportsthekindofalonenessnecessaryforself‐growthand
creativity.However,itcanbesoenclosedwithinthatthereisinadequate
engagementeitherwiththeouterorinnerworld.Theprocessofstripping
offtheveilsofillusionispainfulandespeciallyforthePuellatypeof
woman.Theunmaskingcanbetrickyduetoanunderlyingvulnerability
andfragilityfosteringrepression.Aninauthenticposeand
accommodationtoouterdemandsprotectsaterrifiedandprecariousself.
Thefalseselftakesover,resultinginalossofnaturalinstinctswhilethe
realselfremainswalledoffandsilent.Itwilltakeadescenttotheshadow
aspectstoprythefalseselffromthereal.
Thistypeofwomanfleesfromreality.“Thereissomething[she]
cannotforget,something[she]cannotstoptelling[herself],oftenby[her]
actions,about[her]life.Andthesedismayingrepetitions…createthe
illusionoftimehavingstopped”[Phillips,1994,p.15].Thereissomething
preventingdevelopmentorcommitmentmakingeachsituationand
relationshipfortheshortterm.Bored,feelingtrapped,sheisunawareand
lacksself‐knowledge.Herpotentialwithersbeforeitcanripen,thefantasy
19
preferabletorealitywithitsupsanddowns.Emotionalarrestkeepsher
behindglass,untouchedbyregularexistence.Shesidestepsthedark
aspectsoftheselfthatarethreateningherfragilesenseofidentity.
[Schwartz‐Salant,1982]
Ineffect,herinstinctsareinjured.Sheoutwardlytakesonseekingto
pleaseotherstohidethefearsofshowingherself.Thenarcissisticwounds
createinertiaandrepresstheaggressionforentryintolife.Asenseofnot
beingpresentpromotesacontinualsearchaftertheideal.Thisisa
narcissismthathastodonotwithself‐lovebutself‐hate.[Schwartz‐Salant,
1982]Variousmodesofemotionalprotectionandavenuesof
psychologicalescapearemethodsofdefenseandleadtoinauthenticity.
And,atthesametime,shedoesnotnoticethattheideaofanideallifegets
inthewayoflivingit.APuellawomancanbedistracted,delicateand
terrified.Yet,thesereactionsareexperiencedasifsheisatadistancefrom
theproblemandmostlysheunderestimatestheirdistressing
ramifications.
Therepressionandlackofconnectiontothenaturalbodyurges
maketheinstinctsandfeelingsfallintotheunconscious.Leftwithan
unrealisticself‐reflection,thePuellawomandistancesfrombodyneeds
andcanbewithoutdesireasthebulkofherlibidoisdevitalizedand
scattered.BodilyexperiencesbringherintothehereandnowandJung
saysthatthebodydependsonthepsychejustasthepsychedependson
thebody.“Theholewhichonefallsintoisthroughthebodyandthebody
says‘butthisisyou”[Jung,1984,p209].Inmanyways,theMissMiller
fantasiesarestrivingtomakeherconsciousofthemind/bodyconnection.
Therearemanywaystodiscovertheunfoldingofthepsychesuch
20
asfantasies,visions,dreams,synchronicities,complexesandlife
situations.Jungsays:“thestrivingtotranscendthepresentlevelof
consciousnessthroughacceptanceoftheunconsciousmustgivethebody
itsdue…Theseclaimsofphysicalandpsychiclife…mayalsosignify
rejuvenation”[CW10,p.94].
Thepsychologicalalienationandfragmentationaswellasthwarted
longingsforemotionalrelatednessincreasetheneedtoreconnectthe
personality.Tensionappearsthroughourcompulsions,perversionsand
lifechallenges.Wefinditthroughourmostshamefulproblems,thefailed
expectations,thewayswewantedtobeandthedisappointmentsinthe
wayofrealizingourmosthiddenpromise.ForPuella,theshadowy
recessesrevealthepartscallingforre‐cognition—accessingherfeminine
core,resolvingtheyearningandmelancholy,creatingsupportandfeeling
fromwithinandbeingpresent.Thegirlbecomesawomanthrough
acceptingtheshadow,acquiringpatienceandhealthyregardforherself,
andincludingattentiontoothers.
LikePuella,MissMillerseemstoneedmoreofthemothertomove
intolife.InSymbolsofTransformationJungcommentsonthedangersof
gettingstuckinthemotherortheregressiontochildhoodorthe
unconscious.Butonealsoneedsenoughofthefemininetogetinto
womanhood.Ifmotherfeelsoverbearingorwithholding,awomanwill
notbeabletofindherfeminineself.Ifmotheristoorepressedor
depressed,thedaughterlacksamodelforhealthyactivity.Itisa
balancingactasshecannotmerelymimicmotherbutfindarelationto
her,amother‐daughterwhonourishesfromwithinsoshecanfacerather
thanbeoverwhelmedbylife.“Solongasawomanlivesthelifeofthepast
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shecannevercomeinconflictwithhistory.Butnosoonerdoesshebegin
todeviate,howeverslightly,fromaculturaltrendthathasdominatedthe
pastthensheencountersthefullweightofhistoricalinertia”[Jung,1964,
p.130].
JungsaysMissMiller’sproblemishowtobecreativeandreferences
havingachild.[CW5,p.49]Althoughapplicabletohisera,herloveand
creationcouldtakeanotherroute,orsymbolicallybehercreative
expression.MissMiller’sHymnofCreationisindeedacreativeoutlet.The
libidoarisingfromthedepthsofthecollectiveunconsciousbringMiss
Miller’sfantasiestous.Wealsosuffersimilarlossesandbenefitfromthe
attentiontonatureandtheprocessesaccessingtheselfasrevealedinthe
fantasies.
Summary
MissMiller’spoemcontainsapossibilityforthepassionnecessary
fortransformation.Creationanddestructionarecousinsinthisprocessof
deepchange.Itinvolvesthesearchforsoulfulmeaningthroughthetrials
andinitiationsinherNativeAmericanimagesandstoryoftheattempted
butfailedunionwithChiwantopel.Asindividuationunfolds,sodoes
confrontationwiththeshadow,eruptinginmomentsofchaosand
melancholy.Itcanfeellikethedarkesttime,filledwithdisillusionment
andwithoutexit.Thedilemmasleadtodissolutionfollowedbya
reorderingofpsychologicalelementswithin.TothisendMissMiller’s
fantasiesexploretheoscillationbetweenlongingfortransformation,
escapefromconstrictionandengulfment,andflight.Outgrownselvesand
22
overusedmasksmustfallawayforrenewaltotakeplace.MissMiller’s
taskislaidoutinthesefantasiesthatrequiresurmountingtheobstacles
andaccessingtheinstinctstohertruenature.
Thefantasiesdemonstratetheperegrinationsoftheselfand
promotethequestforknowledgeandpsychologicalintegration.Her
fantasiescontainthetypeofsymbolicmaterialthatstimulatesand
supportslisteningtothebasicsofhumannature.Perhapsthefantasies
touchedherspiritthathadpreviouslybeentorpidortooklifeforgranted.
Inanyevent,shedidcontributeherfantasywithChiwantopelanditsfocus
onnature,Nativeculture,theearthandinstincts.
Wecanimagineherdreamingthemythonwardandsaving
Chiwantopel,displayingherinitiative,makingaplanwithhim,or
survivingbeyondhisdeathtointegrationofhisenergy.Andinessence
thisiscreatinganotherfantasy.However,shedidnot.The libido brought
the destruction of its creation. Atanylifestagewemight,likeMissMiller,be
tooyoung,undeveloped,exhaustedortoofearfulofthetaskandthe
energyfallsintotheunconscious.Wemightgetill,loseagriponlifeinone
wayoranother.Thefailedhopesandstoppedprocesshavemessagesin
theserviceofgainingconsciousness.
Thefantasiesareastoryofthenaturalpatternsanddynamics,
portrayingtheintricacyofthepsycheinitsunfolding.Andtheyshowwhat
happenswhentheattemptsatrenewalfail.Wedonotknow,buther
developmentdoesnotseemtoresultinenoughself‐maturity.Thebirth
intoconsciousnessremainsunactualized.MissMiller,likemany,didnot
23
progressfurther.Theendremainswithoutunion,thepsychesimilartothe
beginningexceptforhavinghadthefantasies.
Jung'sattitudetohavingarelationshipwiththeunconscious
involvedtheideathatitwasacentralfactorofmeaning,orwhathe
referredtoaslivingasymboliclife.
“Everythinggoodiscostly,andthedevelopmentofpersonalityisoneof
themostcostlyofallthings.Itisamatterofsayingyeatooneself,oftaking
oneselfasthemostseriousoftasks,ofbeingconsciousofeverythingone
does,andkeepingitconstantlybeforeone’seyesinallitsdubiousaspects—
trulyataskthattaxesustotheutmost”(Jung,1967,p.24).
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to
see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that
frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our
love.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
24
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