A death of one's own: A psychoanalytic reading of resurrecting the self as manifested in The Awakening, The Bell Jar and Hedda Gabler

Suicide is a theme that allows one to understand the complexities of human nature. Contemplation or committing suicide is a way to explore one's existential questionings, and it can serve as a means to assert their existence in a paradoxical way. Throughout the history of literature, suicide has been a prevalent theme, from the ancient Greek tragedies and Shakespearean heroic suicides to modern works. Female suicide in literature, in particular, has been considered a tragic result of the quest for identity triggered by societal constraints, tragic love, and mental problems. Similarly, the female protagonists that are subject to this thesis have been considered to have designed a death of their own as a result of their search for identity and self-discovery. However, their suffering is a temporary stage during their journey of self-discovery, and they advance in their heroic inner journey toward their authentic self. This thesis aims to discuss the journey of self-discovery of the female protagonists who are subject to this thesis and how they navigate their quest for identity by examining their progression towards self-authenticity and rebirth through the individuation process.