A Journey to Self- Realization in Forty Rules of Love

Abstract

This research is conducted on the spiritual journey of two leading characters Ella and Rumi from the novel Forty Rules of Love written by Elif Shafak. It presents a comparative study of both journeys that in which way they are similar or different. Their journeys to self-realization are described in the light of Rumi‟s seven stages on the path to truth. Textual analysis has been used as a research method to interpret and analyze the text with the help of extra textual knowledge. Freud‟s psychoanalysis theory of id, ego and superego is used to show the transformation of Ella and Rumi. The study revealed that love and true companionship has the power of transformation. On the way to truth, one has to face a lot of criticism but we need to be steadfast to achieve our goal. Ella and Rumi chose to lead a life for others to make them happy.