Emily Dinova, "The Antagonist" (Bruce Scivally, 2024)
Nov 20, 2024
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Emily Dinova, an award-winning writer, actor, and martial artist, discusses her new novel, The Antagonist, which emerged from her experiences with trauma. She delves into how writing became a therapeutic outlet, helping her confront fears and destructive habits. Dinova’s characters embody various psychoanalytic themes, including repression and narcissism, showcasing the complexities of relationships and identity. She also connects her martial arts background to her writing journey, emphasizing the transformative power of creative expression.
Emily Dinova's novel, The Antagonist, serves as a creative act of revenge that enabled her to confront and heal from childhood trauma.
The complex characters in the novel embody various psychoanalytic concepts, exploring themes of repression, identity, and the moral ambiguities of revenge and forgiveness.
Deep dives
The Journey of Writing as Healing
The writing process for the novel emerged during the quarantine as a mechanism for addressing unprocessed childhood trauma. The author, Emily Denova, emphasized that she chose to delve into her internal struggles rather than seek external validation or legal action against her past. Notably, she cited her writing as a fragmented yet transformative experience, one that confronted her fears and allowed her to piece together aspects of herself that had previously felt disjointed. This creative endeavor ultimately led to significant personal healing, allowing Emily to reclaim her narrative while providing insight into her psychological journey.
Psychoanalytic Influences in Character Development
The characters within the novel are deeply layered and reflect various aspects of Emily's own life experiences and analytical journey. For instance, the character 'Jay' serves as a complex representation of both her childhood abuser and her analyst, symbolizing the intertwining of trauma and healing. Additionally, the book explores themes of repression and victimhood as exemplified by the protagonist, Dave, who struggles with his identity and the perception others have of him. Through these characters, the narrative not only illustrates personal growth but also prompts readers to engage with the psychoanalytic concepts that underlie their actions and relationships.
The Complexity of Revenge and Forgiveness
Central to the narrative is the theme of revenge, framed as a necessary outlet for Emily's pent-up emotions following betrayal and trauma. Emily confessed that while she explored the concept of vengeance in her writing, she ultimately recognized the complexity surrounding the idea of forgiveness, especially within the context of organized religion. This realization led her to question the dynamics of her characters, particularly whether or not Dave genuinely deserved the revenge taken against him. The exploration of these themes not only underscores the moral ambiguities faced by the individuals involved but also reflects Emily's own evolving understanding of forgiveness and accountability.
Crafting a Disorienting Narrative Structure
The novel employs a unique narrative structure that includes alternating timeframes, contributing to a feeling of disorientation both for the characters and the readers. Emily aimed to create chaos and uncertainty, mirroring her own internal struggles during the writing process. By manipulating the timeline, where events unfold both forwards and backwards, the narrative challenges conventional storytelling and forces readers to actively engage with the material. This innovative approach enhances the psychological depth of the story and highlights the complexity of memory and perception, allowing readers to experience the protagonist’s unraveling firsthand.
Today I spoke with Emily Dinova about her new novel The Antagonist(Bruce Scivally, 2024). Dinova, a psychoanalytic candidate working towards a license to practice psychoanalysis, wrote The Antagonist as a way of healing her own trauma. Written as a creative act of revenge, Dinova found herself in a fragmented state while writing the book. “I really feel like a fragmented part of myself wrote this book.” From this fragmented state she created characters who represent several psychoanalytic concepts including repression, negation, the uncanny, and Spotnitzian narcissistic object protection.
The structure of the novel is an enactment of Nachträglichkeit. I found the novel intoxicating and disorienting. It kept me happily off balance throughout. Rooted in the psychological adage that the urge to destroy does not have to be taught, Dinova renders her characters with layers of beguiling complexity. The horrors of this deeply informed psychological thriller unfold gradually. It is a masterful demonstration of unconscious processes.