Man and His Symbols by Carl Gustav Jung Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Man and His Symbols
Book Review: 40+ years later, and still extremely relevant
Summary: 5 Stars
The first thing that struck me when I first leafed through this book was that the photos, illustrations, etc. have a little bit of a dated feel. Once I began reading it, however, I was impressed by how relevant it continues to be more than 4 decades after it was written. Jung influenced a bunch of his contemporary artists, writers, and musicians, and continues to do so today. Ask Sting about where he got the concept of synchronicity, David Byrne about where he gets his ideas from, Delmore Schwartz how he came up with the quote "In dreams begin responsibilities", or Lou Reed how he came up with his quote "Between thought and expression lies a lifetime". The latter are just the tip of the iceberg upon whom Jung cast his gigantic shadow. Setting aside Jung's incredible influence on artists who are influential in their own right, this book is better than any of the so called "self help" books out there, bar none. In reading this book, you don't feel like you're being lectured to, but instead, you realize that in stressing the importance of dreams, Jung tapped into something people tend to ignore or discard, when in fact, dreams are a (not so)hidden energy and power waiting right before your very eyes (pun intended?)ready to harness and use to live a more balanced life.Book Review: A Neccessary Springboard for Further Study
Summary: 5 Stars
If one is not acquainted with the foundational tenets of analytical psychology, reading Carl Jung can be a daunting task. Similar to any school of thought, Jung's depth psychology has its own unique language, and understanding these specialized terms is essential to grasping even a small portion of the subject. In Jung's later years, he dreamed of speaking to a multitude of people about the collective unconscious and its symbols. This dream proved to be very important to the old doctor because he sincerely believed that modern civilization was coming to an end and thought it a dire necessity that his work be understood by the wider public in order for a kind of "collective-psychic-healing" to begin. In the end, he at least wanted the "educated layman" to have a fundamental understanding of the mind. Man and his Symbols is a successful attempt towards this goal.
Dr. Jung dictated part one of this book, "Approaching the Unconscious". For the most part, however, this is a collaboration of Jungians writing on the subject's most basic tenets, such as the nature of the unconscious, the collective unconscious and its dreams and symbols.
In part two, "Ancient Myths and Modern Man", Dr. Joseph L. Henderson elaborates on historical symbols as archetypes, including the Hero myth and the Archetype as Initiation that has been seen and experienced throughout the ages.
In part three, the famed Jungian, M. L. von Franz, explores `The Process of Individuation", explaining the psyche's natural evolution towards a state of uniting its opposites and becoming whole. Franz details this abstract process in very simple terms, revealing the ultimate goal of all therapies: balance, wholeness and responsibility.
Aniela Jaffe, another one of the original Jungian's, in part four, expounds on the nature of the symbol in the visual arts. This is a revealing chapter as it illustrates how so many similar symbols have appeared in art throughout the world over thousands of years.
Jolande Jacobi, the famed Jungian analyst, in part five, relates the methods of Jungian analysis in terms of the importance of dreams and symbols.
Lastly, von Franz concludes with a brilliant essay on "Science and the Unconscious", summarizing the entire book, and emphasising the importance of symbols and the unconscious and their on-going interpretation in the effort to understanding ourselves.
As was the old doctor's wish, Man and his Symbols opened Jung's work to a wider public. It is an ideal text for anyone interested in analytical psychology, as it explains the subjects at times abstract notions of the mind and the psyche's relation to the world in highly accessible terms. It provides the necessary basics for a general understanding and is a perfect springboard for further study.
Book Review: A fine, insightful introduction to Jung
Summary: 5 Stars
As previous reviews have noted, this is not a comprehensive overview of Jung's work. But it is a perfect introduction to some of his most important concepts, with an initial essay by Jung himself & several more by key figures of Jungian thought & work. By directing their focus to very specific points, these essays illuminate Jung's ideas in a clear & accessible way, particularly for the lay reader, for whom this volume was intended.
If there's any one theme, it's that of the Symbol: its power, its manifestations, its meaning to the individual. I especially like Aniela Jaffe's "Symbolism in the Visual Arts," which looks at the appearances & continual re-appearances of powerful spiritual symbols through the history of art, illustrated by the work of many fine artists; and also Joseph Henderson's "Ancient Myths and Modern man," which demonstrates how primal symbols, far from being part of humanity's past, are still quite present & working within the psyche of contemporary culture. But every essay is well worth reading & re-reading.
Jung's goal with this volume was to provide a primer of sorts, a beginner's guide to the riches & mysteries of the human psyche. In this he succeeded -- I can't imagine anyone reading this book & not coming away with a deeper appreciation & better understanding of the inner universe. Highly recommended!
Book Review: A good introduction to Carl Jung
Summary: 4 Stars
I'd suggest this book for anyone who wishes to obtain a general understanding of Carl Jung's theories. Man and his symbols provides a general outline of predominant themes that exist in various cultures. Almost every culture shares certain common archtypes. We can trace commonalities in various fertility gods, the belief in angels, demons, etc...
His theories allude to a common origin in these beliefs as well as certain experiences that appear universal to the human condition. This book was helpful but I'd recommend his later work; Archtypes and The Collective Unconscious for a more detailed understanding.
Book Review: A great introduction to Jungian psychology
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife used this book in her honors high school English class. This book provides an excellent introduction to several of Jung's important ideas by Jung and four of his followers: M. L. von Franz, Joseph L. Henderson, Jolande Jacobi, and Aniela Jaffe. This book provides a very accessible introduction to Jungian psychology. It is written to the non-expert and contains facsicinting examples. The pictures and illustrations that accompany the text are particularly interesting. After reading *Man and His Symbols*, I saw our symbolic world in a whole new way.