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The psychoanalytic investigation of author's works has enriched our understanding and appreciation of their works and lives. At the same time this kind of investigation has enlarged our understanding of the dynamics of living. Examples and methodology of such psychoanalytic writings are found in the works of S. Freud, E. Jones, Rene Laforge, Marie Bonaparte, Hans Sachs, Ella Freeman Sharpe, Felix Deutsch, Ernst Kris and many other contemporary psychoanalytic authors.
The present communication is an attempt by the application of psychoanalytic principles to appreciate more completely an ancient story of the Bible, of the prophet Jonah. Biblical scholars George Adam Smith (4), Hinckley G. Mitchell (3), G. W. Wade (5) have asserted that the Book of Jonah was the result of a single mind. Alterations and additions, no doubt, occurred in the transmission of this story. However, the above mentioned scholars in their studies noted the literary unity of this book. A psychoanalytic investigation appears to indicate a psychological unity as well. On the whole such alterations and additions as may have occurred are in keeping with the dynamic unity and identity of this work. These scholars have remarked that this work was not historically accurate. They have noted it should be considered a parable or allegory. While this work has found usage as a parable because of its literary and dynamic unity it does not appear to be entirely fiction. It seems to have had a basis in the living experience of a person. It has also been noted as an allegory. Through psychoanalytic understanding of the disguised symbolism we gain an appreciation of the dynamics, turmoil and partial resolution of a conflict in this story of the life of an individual who lived and suffered centuries ago.
My attention was turned to this work through the remarks of a