Demian

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of alcohol misuse.

Individuation is a Jungian concept that refers to the journey one takes to become distinctly and uniquely themselves. For Sinclair, this process includes his decision to accept and embrace his individuality through the acceptance of the duality of human nature. At the beginning of the novel, Sinclair desires to conform to the Christian values and traditions that exist within his family and community. He claims to love the “peace and calm and order” that exists in his home, as well as the “duty and conscience” (4). Sinclair believes that his role in life is to adhere to the familial sphere and depiction of masculinity that his father exhibits. At the same time, he likes “the forbidden world best” and believes that the “bright world” is “something less than beautiful” (4). With this image, Sinclair demonstrates a desire to explore all facets of life, including his shadow self, the dark, repressed parts of his unconscious, and concepts that are socially deemed as morally wrong. As a child, the morally wrong or evil side of the world both scares and intrigues Sinclair. Ultimately, he engages with the “world of darkness” because he feels connected to the truth of the world rather than ignorant of it, like his father (13).