A Jungian Psychoanalytic Study of the Archetypal Journey and the Collective Unconscious in Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies

Abstract

This study explores the psychological depth of Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies through the lens of Jungian psychoanalysis and focuses on the archetypal journey and the workings of the collective unconscious. It investigates the ways Ghosh’s characters embody universal patterns of human experience such as struggles for identity, transformation, and self-realization within a colonial and historical framework. Using a qualitative and interpretive approach, the research examines the unfolding of the persona, shadow, anima, and animus in key characters such as Deeti, Neel, and Zachary. Their voyage aboard the ship Ibis becomes not only a passage across the sea but also a symbolic journey into the depths of the human psyche. The study interprets Ghosh’s narrative as a mirror of collective memory and the shared unconscious that binds humanity across time and culture. By linking Jung’s psychological theory with Ghosh’s postcolonial vision, the research reveals the interplay between inner and outer worlds; where trauma, displacement, and resilience shape both individual and communal identities. Ultimately, the paper argues that Sea of Poppies transcends its historical narrative to portray a universal quest for wholeness. It illustrates the enduring capacity of the human spirit to heal and evolve through self-awareness that integrates the conscious and unconscious mind into a unified sense of being.