Puer aeternus

In her classic study, Marie-Louise von Franz elaborates on Jung's concept of the puer aeternus – the "eternal boy" archetype, who remains mentally trapped between fantasy and reality, avoiding full entry into adult life. This pattern affects relationships, decision-making and the ability to commit, and is one of the key themes of analytical psychology. Combining Jungian theory, mythology, fairy tales, symbol interpretation and clinical practice, the author shows how this archetype manifests in everyday life – from escaping into fantasy to an inability to take on long-term responsibility. She also explores its ambivalent nature: while it can hinder psychological development, it also carries strong creative potential if consciously integrated. Using examples from literature and therapeutic experience, von Franz shows the way to transcend this inner pattern and proceed towards the process of individuation, where imagination and reality can reach a mature balance. The book is one of the essential analytical texts of the Jungian tradition and offers a deep understanding of the conflict between freedom and commitment, dream and adulthood.