Individuality Personified as Magic in Shadow Weaver: A Lacanian Reading

While attaining individual wholeness is just a mirage according to countless readings of Lacanian theory of the development of the psyche, Shadow Weaver depicts a magical world through which achieving personhood sounds less frightening. The presence of a protagonist along with her two friends, who are blessed with magical power, proves the possibility of preserving the true essence of individuals through integrity and hard work. While many studies have been done acknowledging Lacanian pessimism in re-finding the totality individuals have experienced in the imaginary order, this unique study focuses on how the social basis of Lacan theories makes change probable. The magical characters of the novel are scrutinized and analyzed in terms of their persistency in keeping their individuality safe and secure. Analysis leads to the realization that despite the fact that the formation of identity takes shape unconsciously, individuals are able to alter the structure creating unconscious. Accordingly, this study, through its unique perspective, attempts to bestow the world of teenagers with unlimited hope and instructions to maintain their personhood and fight for it without the fear of rejection; by consolidating the essence of individuality, the new generation are hopefully capable in building a promising universe the foundation of which is peace and understanding.

Keywords:

ideology , individuality , Lacan , magical , Symbolic