What are some of the most famous books on introversion?
It is difficult to find good literature about introverts. Introverted characters abound, yet their personalities are amalgams of psychological, social and cultural aspects manifest in introverted behaviors. When we see a latent shyness, desire for solitude, a withdrawal into self, they dont exist for introversions sake. they exist to illustrate that characters deep human need or deficiency. Examples of introverted characters (and why they arent fully introverted): Jude Fawley, Jude the Obscure - In the opening scene Jude jumps around the mud rather than trod on ants, there is something deeply introverted about Jude. Yet Hardys theme, the failure of Victorian institutions, dominates and Judes personality becomes secondary. Judes desire to better his life is stalled because he cannot thrive within these institutions, not because he is introverted. Lester Ballard, Child of God - Lester withdraws from society to such a point that he destroys society back (hes a serial killer), this aspect has tenants in an isolated, introverted self desiring to be understood. McCarthy often penetrates an individuals need to be loved and understood, this is the most dystopian and devastating. Celie Johnson, The Color Purple - Celie is shy, removed, inwardly seeking. Although it is a vicious, brutal life that inspired her to withdraw, not introversion, and only through the love of Shug does she develop self-awareness that she too, should be loved. Gregor Samsa, The Metamorphosis - Gregor stays in his room, although that might be owing to the fact that hes turned into a roach. And the cruelty of his father. But there is an aspect of his withdrawal and retreat that feels familiar to introverts, even, occasionally, the feeling of metaphorical scales on ones body. Tsukuru Tazaki, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage - Murakamis Tazaki is so rich, its debatable whether hes introverted, extroverted, or a cocktail personality. He has a fully-formed, textured image of those around him, and a blank sense of himself. It reminded me how many introverts associate as not extroverts, rather than definitive introvert. William Stoner, Stoner - Stoner is a precise study in an introvert, a deep thinking, reflector and often, a sufferer. But again, Stoners behavior is driven by the judgments and misunderstandings of the institutions around him; academia and marriage. Still, its an excellent book led by a strong introvert. Even after introversion was named and explored by Jung, it did not emerge as a major theme or motivation of character in its own right (except maybe in Hesse). Authors, though frequently introverted themselves, seemed to think it didnt bring enough complexity to character. An introvert wouldnt just be introvert, they would be introverted because they were unaccepted, misunderstood, or just plan psychotic. This falls far short of a good portrait of introversion. Extroverts dont have it any easier, Emma Bovary, Emma Woodhouse and even Holden Caulfield would be considered extroverts, thriving on social interaction and engagement, but their motivation is from personal shortcomings and social restrictions. I.e. they seek interactions because they are selfish, repressed, or unloved, not from an extroverted need. If you believe introverts exist as people who draw meaning and energy from within, not from psychological, cultural or social needs - literature will let you down. UNLESS you turn to childrens literature! Childrens literature, with its simplicity and one-dimensional characters, is a natural place to read about introverts. The childrens book classic, The Story of Ferdinand, is a beloved tale about a bull who, while other young bulls played with each other, preparing for their ultimate trial in the ring, sat quietly alone, smelling flowers. His mother worried, as parents of introverts do, but she neednt have done. The story, written in 1936 is still published today. The illustrations are spectacular, too. Just look at this red! Many of Roald Dahls books are about introverts, quiet souls, desiring to read and reflect and yet end up leading the world in their own way. Matilda is an introvert, a reading, thinking, soft-spoken and a collector of few, close friends. The main character from Danny the Champion of the World, my personal favorite, lives with his accepting, loving, also-introverted father they seek quiet (and silly) revenge against the local - extroverted - land-owner. And I just read a really lovely book to my niece, called Willow's Whispers, a story about girl who needs to find her own voice. Im sure there are many, many more. Funny enough, almost every journal, diary, or collection of letters written by writers themselves, are concise examples of introversion, even if they arent studies per se. Inward focus, thinking about ones mental state, concerned with inner, not outer, world, is something writers never tire of. If you want to know more about introverted thinking and mindsets, read any of these excellent books written by writers about themselves as writers: John Steinbecks Working Days: The Journals of The Grapes of Wrath. Jack Kerouac: Selected Letters, Vol. 1, 1940-1956, Kerouac: Selected Letters: Volume 2: 1957-1969 The Journals Of John Cheever Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own Laurie Lees I Can't Stay Long There are enough non-fiction books written about introversion and they are as easy to find as your local extrovert. I found it more interesting to explore literature. Hope it is still helpful.