Under The Volcano

The richness and complexity of Under the Volcano allows me to try a less than conventional approach - to examine Yvonne as her own discourse. Yvonne is examined predominantly by her relationship to Jacque and Hugh. Moreover, the conventional examination leads critics and readers to focus on how the relationships affect Geoffrey. Yvonne is a complex character whose examination in her own discourse can bring a new point of view or understanding to Under the Volcano. A more careful reading reveals a powerful supporting cast with stories of their own. Alcoholism has profound effects on both the alcoholic and his network. Alcoholism is the center of my focus here as the creation of self by Yvonne. Try to examine Yvonne through three rather interrelated and predictable dimensions: as savior, adult child of an alcoholic and tragic figure. First, as an archetype, she is portrayed as a "Savior." Second, this need to save calls for a more complex examination of Yvonne's psychological persona as co-dependent "Adult Child of an Alcoholic". Third, Yvonne is a classic "Tragic Figure" whose need to help the Consul results in her own death. The dimensions are concurrently independent and interrelated. The resulting representation as savior has its roots in complex psychological development and results is her tragic end.