An Examination of Little Black Fish with Mahler’s Separation Individuation Theory

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the experiences and feelings of the Little Black Fish according to Mahler's Separation-Individuation Theory and to discuss the overlapping and conflicting parts with Mahler's theory. Mahler's theory examines the four sub-stages of separation-individuation as differentiation/hatching, practicing, rapprochement and object constancy. Little Black Fish, main character of the book, is a small fish that lives with its mother and is separated from the stream to reach the sea. Throughout the study, the character of Little Black Fish has been analyzed using Mahler’s theory and the maternal roots of the character’s behavioral problems is discussed. The character's low anger threshold and fear of engulfment are thought to be rooted in the inability to establish the predicted relationship with the mother. However, this is not a major obstacle to the process of individuation