흑과 백의 경계를 넘는 사회적 관심

Social Interest beyond the Boundary between Black and White: Reading Maniac Magee through Adler’s Individual Psychology

This study selects Jerry Spinelli’s Maniac Magee, focusing on how the protagonist Maniac maintains relationships with others and gains a mature view of society. It analyzes Maniac’s childhood as an orphan based on Adler’s individual psychology and how he becomes socially interested in racial issues. Adler’s Individual Psychology, in which childhood determines the structure of life, is a theory that provides a close approach to analyzing Maniac’s poor environment and his resulting character. Maniac, who has no stereotypes about society or skin color, opens his eyes little by little to the invisible perception that society gives. The stereotypes create a racial boundary and source of prejudice, dividing the east and west side of town. Maniac has an invisible sense of inferiority. Adler says it is not a bad thing itself, so people try to overcome their inferiority complex and to build their self-esteem. Maniac’s actions and practices help break the prejudice and racial conflicts. Maniac’s social interest in both the black and white communities serves to help unite them. This study is meaningful to find Maniac’s potential ability to overcome his inferiority complex and expand his social interest through the process of self-growth.