“Representation of Self of Bowenian Progeny Through Stemma in M.L Steadman’s Light Between the Oceans and Jodi Picoult’s Leaving Time

Abstract

This paper joins a vibrant combination in Literature, about the application of a non-literary theory on literary texts. It explores how literature is multi-dimensional and consciously present in non-literary theories to a great extent. Collectively, one among them is The Bowen’s Theory of Family System article by an American Psychiatrist Dr. Murray Bowen. The question that this dissertation explicit is, How the Bowen’s progeny of self is identified through stemma? What is the progeny of self? And how stemma inter-relates to it? In order to explore these questions, this research paper broadens the very term ‘self, analyzing it in different arenas of literature and psychology. While the research dealt in the chapters focus on systematic nuances of Bowen’s Theory, followed by four vital concepts of the theory, applied on the literary novels by M.L. Stedman and Jodi Picoult. By focusing on this progeny of self in literature and psychology this paper aims to create a sense of how ‘A Family Self’ is identified through the application of Bowen’s Theory. Finally, it depicts how stemma acts as a relational self in the two novels, which bears connection to the Family Theory.