Abstract:
Traditionally, there has been a tension between psychology and religion because of the
Freudian critique of religion. This research intends to show that a deeper understanding of
religion leading hopefully to an even deeper religiosity can be achieved by studying bodily
features portrayed in a (religious) text from a psychoanalytic perspective. Just as any literary
character can be ‘psychoanalysed’ to produce new perspectives on it and on the narrative as a
whole, the personality of Job invites the postmodern reader to continue understanding this
book on new levels. From this approach, it becomes clear that the protagonist struggles with
boundaries and individuation because of his depressive tendencies experienced in issues with
reality’s harsh touch, nakedness and distance.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : Just as any literary character can be
‘psychoanalysed’ to produce new perspectives on it and on the narrative as a whole, the
personality of Job invites the postmodern reader to continue understanding this book on new
levels. From this approach, it becomes clear that the protagonist struggles with boundaries
and individuation because of his depressive tendencies experienced in issues with reality’s
harsh touch, nakedness and distance.
