To Freud, mental life is divided into three levels; the conscious, the preconscious and the unconscious. Consciousness is the psychological term
commonly used to indicate a state of awareness of self and environment. It is defined as those mental elements in awareness at any given point in time. It is the
only level of mental life directly available to us. Psychoanalytic suggests that much of our behavior is motivated by unconscious influences. Unconsciousness relates to
phenomena that we are unaware of and cannot become aware except under special circumstances.
The concept of the unconscious suggests that there are aspects of our functioning of which we are not fully aware. According to Freud, as cited by Feist
2006: 24, unconscious contains all those drives, urges, or instincts that are beyond our awareness but that nevertheless motivate most of our words, feelings, and
actions. For example, a man may not fully understand all the reasons for the attraction, some of which may even seem irrational.
This study focuses on the instinct and the unconscious mental life proposed by Freud. Here, the story includes maternal instincts that grow unconsciously in the
main character. By using these theories, it helps this study to analyze the instinct that changes Sister Regina’s personality.
2.4 Criticism
In doing the analysis of my study, the writer gathers some criticisms on LaVyrle Spencer’s Then Came Heaven in order to get a better understanding of the
novel. Criticism does not always mean bad; furthermore it can be compliment towards the literary work.
Meg, a fan of Spencer’s novel http:www.barnesandnoble.com, accessed on March 25
th
, 2007 says that Then Came Heaven is a beautiful love story. There is love in this book: love for God, love for church, marital love, family love,
community love; and, of course, the pure sweet love that slowly grows between Jean and Eddie. Ms. Spencer shows us, in a clear yet respectful way, just what nuns
prior to Vatican II had to give up for their love of church and God. Its clear that changes in regards to the vows a nun takes were needed.
Moreover, a
reader form
Ohio http:amazon.comgpcustomer-
reviewsdiscussionsstart-thread.html, accessed on March 28
th
, 2007 says that this novel is a totally unique romance novel. Set in a Midwest Polish Catholic
community in the 1950s, it is a beautifully crafted glimpse of a time when the world was simpler and more innocent. The primary characters are a grieving widower and
a nun who is struggling with her vocation. In her opinion, Spencer always does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the emotional lives of her characters, and
these two are particularly sympathetic. The majority of the book focuses on their individual struggles before turning to the romance that springs from their mutual
respect and support. The love story is very sweet and handled with great sensitivity. She also enjoyed the glimpse into the inner life of the nuns.
2.5 Theoretical Framework
In this part the writer wants to explain some theories used in this study and also the reason why those theories are needed in this study. The first theory is the
theory of character and characterization. This theory is used to help the process of finding Sister Regina’s character and later decide her personality portrayed in the
