Özet:

Susan Hill is an English novelist, playwright and critic. Her novels and short stories generally focus on workings of the human psyche, particularly emotional breakdowns. This study focuses on her short story “A Bit of Singing and Dancing”, the protagonist of which is Esme Fanshaw. She spent her life as the unique caregiver to her bedridden mother. After her mother’s death, she inherits 6,000 pounds. She tries to enjoy newfound freedom, but it is difficult for her to live without the control of her tyrannical mother, so she is always haunted by an inner voice having substituted her mother. She meets Mr. Amos Curry, a salesman and her would be tenant in spite of the voice’s rejection. This man will change her life considerably.  In this study, Esme Fanshaw is treated through Kohutian psychoanalysis or self-psychology, where the self should be understood from an empathic standpoint. For Kohut, the self could not be properly defined, yet it can be the “whole person or, especially, the inner or subjective person accessible through empathic attunement and listening.” People have three kinds of selfobject needs: Mirroring Need, Idealizing Need, and the Need to be with like-minded souls. If a person has the empathic relations with his/her parents and friends with the acceptance of Idealization, these needs are met. Such a person develops self-integrity, self-esteem and maintains sound relationships with others. In “A Bit of Singing and Dancing” Esme’s self and her relation with her mother and Mr. Amos Curry will be analyzed through such Kohutian notions as “narcissism”, “selfobject”, and “empathy”. Empathy for Kohut is needed for personal integrity and tolerance. People such as Esme suffer rage, emptiness, humiliation due to the loss of empathy during their development.  

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