Writer’s Loss and Related Creativity Based on Park Wanseo’ Novels

Abstract

For some artists, experiencing loss can serve as a source of inspiration for creative outlets and as another method of development for the ego. As an example of this, authors have explored the literary works of Park Wanseo, renowned South Korean writer who during the Korean War, experienced profound loss of those who were closest to her: her father, her older brother, her husband and even her son. Focusing on three particular novels she had written, authors have analyzed the psychology of where she drew her own creativity and her own inspiration. Their main findings were as follows: first, through the experience of the rare amount of loss that she had undergone, both hatred and a sense of guilt were spurred within her. She created many literary works as an outlet to resolve these conflicting feelings. Second, in the service of the ego, writing may have helped her to sort through distinct motives and emotions. It is understood that the ego strives to maintain both the integration and cohesion of herself. Lastly, as psychotherapy serves as a process to biographize one’s life stories, Park created her own autobiographical novels for the hopes and for the purposes of overcoming the pain and to find the insight to heal. For Park, the creation of literary works carried meaning that could be understood as an adaptation of her inner conflicts that arose from her own experiences with loss. Psychoanalysis 2016;27(1):17-24