Explored the similarities and contradictions between Lessing's "The Wild Grass Sings" and Ryan's "The Divided Self" on the theme of madness. The novel portrays colonial, racial, and gender issues through Mary's tragic life, and has many cross references with Ryan's analysis of schizophrenia. The critics pay attention to Lessing's revision and dialectical thinking of Ryan's theory, while this article argues that, in addition to conformity, Mary's madness trajectory in the novel also presents contradictions with Ryan's model, highlighting the dimensions of race and gender. Ryan's model takes a neutral view of self and body, while Mary's self and body in the novel are under the dual influence of racism and sexism, exposing and criticizing colonialism, racism, and sexism.

Lai Xin and Ryan

Lai Xin and Ryan emphasized humanistic care and sympathy for patients when exploring madness/schizophrenia. Ryan proposed in "The Divided Self" that understanding madness requires a deep understanding of the patient's living situation in order to achieve empathy. Lessing appreciates Ryan's questioning of traditional psychoanalysis and believes that it demonstrates extraordinary empathy. Both of them introduced gender and racial dimensions into the definition and examination of madness, challenging the traditional assumptions of Western society. Ryan's new/anti psychiatry aims to trace the survival status of patients, rather than just analyzing symptoms, believing that so-called "splitting" and "madness" may be the patient's expression or choice of survival. Ryan's survival psychology emphasizes the relationship between individuals and others, as well as the connection between individuals and themselves, especially physical experiences. Existential security or anxiety affects an individual's cognition and experience of themselves, life, and the world. The mental state of the female protagonist Mary in Lessing's "Wild Grass Singing" is consistent with Ryan's theory, especially in terms of sexual anxiety and mind body relationships. But as Mary's sense of self and bodily independence increased, her "soundness" and "madness" gradually contradicted the Ryan model, highlighting the shaping role of social race and sexism in defining oneself and bodily experiences. Ryan's theory has blind spots in special markers such as gender and race.

The embodiment and split self

The song 'Wild Grass Singing' explores the relationship between self and survival through Mary's life. Mary's life is divided into the stage of mind identity detachment and the stage of bodily self transformation. The stage of separation between heart and identity lasted from childhood to several years after marriage, providing her with a temporary sense of security, but with the awakening of self-awareness, this separation plunged her into a state of rigidity. The stage of embodied self began with contact with black people, especially the appearance of Moses, which awakened her body and emotions. However, this experience was taboo in the white society of Southern Rhodesia and became the trigger for her collapse.

Murder mystery "and" black and white "

In depth analysis of the relationship between Mary and Moses in "Wild Grass Singing" and their challenges to racial and gender boundaries. Charlie's intervention revealed Mary's crossing of racial boundaries and her equal attitude with Moses, which was seen as a threat in the context of colonialism. Tony's employment and observation of Mary reveal the complex attitudes of white society towards Mary, as well as their silence and tacit understanding towards the murder case. Mary's inner world and her wait for death demonstrate her profound reflection on herself, society, and the land of Africa. The novel criticizes colonialism and racism from Mary's perspective, while revealing the oppression and taboos of white society towards Mary's story. Tony's role change reflects that even progressive individuals still hold deeply ingrained racist beliefs. Mary's madness is not only a personal tragedy, but also a manifestation of social problems. The political and moral power of novels lies in presenting the internal divisions and conflicts of colonialism, as well as profound reflections on gender politics and colonial politics. Through Mary's story, Lessing calls on readers to pay attention to suppressed voices and reflect on the distortion of human nature caused by colonialism and racism.