A Study of the Protagonist’s Alterity Exhibited in Paulo Coelho’s the Witch of Portobello
Journal Title: International Journal of English and Literature (IJEL) - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 6
Abstract
The paper focuses on the alterity of the protagonist as Sherine, Athena and as Hagia Sofia. The paper attempts to psychoanalyze the protagonist and her alterities. The protagonist is the ‘self’ originally named Sherine Khalil, but since she names herself Athena and prefers to be referred to by that name, Athena is considered to be the protagonist’s ‘assumed-self’ while Hagia Sofia becomes the ‘other’. The protagonist assumes the alterity of Athena instead of being Sherine, in order to bring out the courageous and independent side of her. The alterity of Hagia Sofia, on the other hand, is exhibited by the protagonist, only during those circumstances where she attains a trance-like state after celebrating the “Great Mother” through dance and concentration. Hagia Sofia is used as an alterity, to serve the protagonist’s purpose of spreading messages to the gathering in a Spiritual tone.
Authors and Affiliations
Fiona Festus Alexander, Sarika Gupta Tyagi
Keywords
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