THE INTERPLAY OF SILENCE AND THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND IN YUKIO MISHIMA’S “THIRST FOR LOVE”

This research article examines the multifaceted role of silence through Etsuko, the protagonist in Yukio Mishima’s Thirst for Love, explicitly exploring its connection to the unconscious mind. This research aims to investigate (1) how themes of silence and the unconscious are portrayed in Thirst for Love. (2) In what ways do these themes reveal Etsuko’s repressed desires and psychological conflicts? (3) How does Mishima use silence as a narrative device to explore the complexities of love, desire, and the position of women in post-World War II Japan? This research aims to contribute a deeper understanding of the interplay between silence, the unconscious, and human relationships in literature through a detailed textual analysis and psychoanalytical theories.