Fear of Flying: Analysis of Major Characters
"Fear of Flying: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complexities of the main character, Isadora Wing, a twenty-nine-year-old Jewish poet navigating her identity and relationships. Isadora, the narrator, grapples with conflicting desires for both security through a supportive partnership and the freedom associated with sexual exploration and adventure. Her husband, Bennett Wing, is portrayed as a distant figure whose orthodox Freudian beliefs influence their dynamic, as he emphasizes the importance of psychological discussions before making decisions. Despite his physical appeal and ability to provide pleasure, Bennett's emotional aloofness leaves Isadora feeling unfulfilled.
The narrative also introduces Adrian Goodlove, a charismatic psychiatrist who represents spontaneity and existential freedom, further complicating Isadora's journey as she seeks understanding and connection. Additionally, her mother, Jude, is a pivotal character who symbolizes the sacrifices of art for familial obligations while encouraging Isadora's creative pursuits. Jude's eccentricity contrasts with societal norms, showcasing the tension between conformity and individuality. This exploration of relationships and personal conflict highlights the broader themes of identity and desire, inviting readers to reflect on the characters' emotional landscapes.
Fear of Flying: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Erica Jong
First published: 1973
Genre: Novel
Locale: Vienna and elsewhere in Europe, with flashbacks including New York City
Plot: Social realism
Time: The early 1970's
Isadora Wing, the protagonist and narrator. Isadora is a twenty-nine-year-old Jewish poet, the daughter of secular Jews. Her mother gave up painting to have a family, and her father is portrayed as somewhat distant. Isadora is torn between two contradictory impulses: the need for security and a supportive husband and the desire for freedom, adventure, and sexual exploration. Isadora is a writer and intellectual but also a highly sexual being who often says that men's bodies are nice.
Bennett Wing, Isadora's husband, to whom she sometimes refers as a father figure. Bennett is an orthodox Freudian who views all adult actions and feelings as having their genesis in childhood experiences, in particular in the relationship of the young child to his or her parents. Before he and Isadora make any important decisions, he insists that they discuss matters with their respective psychiatrists. Isadora sees him as silent and withdrawn. He has a beautiful body and is expert at providing sexual satisfaction, but he will not talk to her or tell her he loves her.
Adrian Goodlove, a British Laingian psychiatrist whom Isadora meets in Vienna when she goes there for a psychological conference with her husband. Isadora is attracted to his blond good looks and casual manner. He advocates a life of spontaneity and existential freedom. He tells Isadora that she should not be afraid of what is inside her and proposes that they go off together. He turns out to be a disappointment, both as a companion and as a lover.
Judith Stoloff White, also known as Jude, Isadora's mother. The daughter of a painter who painted over her canvases when he ran out of canvases himself, Jude gave up her art to become a wife and mother. She is fond of telling her four daughters that they are the reason she is not a great painter. To Isadora's chagrin, she dresses eccentrically (for Jude, the greatest sin is being ordinary), but she is also Isadora's greatest booster and admirer, praising her high school compositions and listening tirelessly to her poems.