Rebuilding Self: Loss and Transformation in Alan Sillitoe’s “The Fishing Boat Picture

Authors : Fulya Kincal

Pages : 313-331

Doi:10.20304/humanitas.1407394

View : 73 | Download : 99

Publication Date : 2024-03-14

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explores the ideas presented by British writer Alan Sillitoe concerning existentialism, focusing on his unique perspective on the theme of loss through the lens of the British object relations theory. Sillitoe’s literary portrayal of the protagonist and his coping mechanisms for grief and loss offer a distinctive perspective to analyze shifts in individual identity. Our focus centres on Sillitoe’s story titled \"The Fishing Boat Picture,\" which allows us to explore the connection between loss, grief, and personal transformation. Through the protagonist—an elderly man who comes to terms with his wife’s passing and discovers a sense of self—this paper presents a framework for comprehending how loss impacts the disruption and rebuilding of one’s identity. Moreover, it sheds light on how psychological experiences of loss can shape individuals’ perception of themselves by emphasizing how moments of loss and grief can lead to profound growth by serving as experiences. Ultimately, this research contributes to a comprehension of the psyche and how we navigate through losses and grief while constructing our identities.
Keywords : Alan Sillitoe, Dönüşüm, Kimlik, Yas, Hüzün