The Search for Identity and Individuation Process: The Female Hero’s Questin Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Tombs of Atuanand Tehanu

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the concept of quest and individuation process with regards to the female hero in Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Tombs of Atuan and Tehanu. The female hero and her quest is examined under the light of Campbell’s monomyth theory and Jung’s archetypes, including the persona, shadow, anima-animus and self, which have crucial importance in the female hero’s individuation. In a comparison with the male hero, Ged, the female hero, Tenar’s story in these two novels is a coming of age story as well, and she goes through similar phases in this process. However, different from the classical male hero, who sets off a physical journey to actualize his goal of finding the true self, it is seen that the female hero starts a psychological journey inward. The stereotypical and predetermined roles, taboos and the understanding that the male is superior in patriarchal societies cause the female hero to face both internal and external factors. During her journey inward, she deals with her f