Typological Analysis of Symbols in Patrick White’s The Aunt’s Story

This article is dedicated to the symbolic and philosophical analysis of the images used in P.White’s 1948 novel “The Aunt’s Story”, as well as to the study of their typological characteristics. In the novel, the personal, spiritual, and psychological development of the protagonist, Theodora Goodman, is conveyed through a system of multiple symbolic layers. In this regard, the system of symbols archetypal images, mythological motifs, religious, natural, and psychological signs serves as a key semantic tool in her process of individuation. Through these symbols, the author attempts to depict the obscure and subconscious experiences of the human soul, the state of alienation from society, and the path of inner transcendence.
The theoretical foundation of this study draws upon C.G. Jung’s psychoanalytic theory of individuation, N.Frye’s archetypal structuralism, and the religious-mythological and hermeneutic views of M.Eliade and P.Ricoeur on symbolism. These approaches offer a rigorous methodological foundation for interpreting the symbolic layers present in the novel.
Methodologically, the article combines typological, historical-cultural, textual, and complex analytical methods. The novel’s tripartite structure Meroë, Jardin Exotique, and Holstius reflects the archetypal-mythological stages of the hero’s journey: separation, fragmentation, and elevation. Symbols such as the mirror, gun, lightning, black rose, hawk, nautilus shell, and fire reveal Theodora’s inner turmoil, moments of spiritual awakening, and the condition of isolation resulting from her divergence from societal norms. 
The study concludes that Theodora’s supposed madness or psychological fragility actually reflects her inner ascent and a spiritual journey toward a divine truth that society fails to comprehend. Through this character, P.White presents a rare portrayal in Western literature – loneliness as wisdom and alienation as salvation. Ultimately, in the image of Theodora, P.White depicts not a typical aunt but a courageous seeker of inner truth, where isolation from society symbolises both suffering and triumph on the path to self-realisation.