Professor of what?

[Philippe Cordier]

Hmm, no feedback on my theories, so I don't know if anyone thinks I'm on the right track or off-the-wall with any of this ...

For better or worse, my ideas continue to evolve (like when I'm at work or trying to get to bed -- actually, sleep deprivation might explain a lot  ).

I can't quite decide now if the writers had in mind that Professor Stokes was a Jungian theorist, or if they might even have been loosely basing him on Carl Jung.

The reason this latter idea came to mind was that I realized another specific point of comparison between them:  Jung was deeply involved with the I-Ching ... and as we will later learn, T.E. Stokes is, too.

And I'm wondering -- just speculating at this point -- if Stokes' understanding of Parallel Time (... in a future storyline... ) might relate to Jung's theory of synchronicity. I only have a basic understanding of synchronicity and don't really know what the underpinnings of the theory are, but something makes me wonder if parallel universes might enter into it.

I have a biography of Jung that would probably have the answers, but I haven't had time to read it.

-Vlad

[Thom]

Eliot is a psychiatrist from what I recall of a 1969 eppy after 1897 ends. We learn the fate of Sabrina Stuart whose hair has gone prematurely gray. Eliot is taking over the patients of 'Dr. Reeves' while Sabrina is at a nursing home.

[Luciaphile]

Wow, quite a few suggestions here!  After reading all of them, I'm inclined to go with English as Eliot's subject.  It would allow him to dabble in a variety of subfields.  No way could I see him as a philosopher.  History might work . . . but not philosophy and he's just not the type for psychology (I speak from personal experience here too )  But I guess the nice thing in that it's never been defined is that it's so open for speculation.

Luciaphil

[Happybat]

Hmm, no feedback on my theories, so I don't know if anyone thinks I'm on the right track or off-the-wall with any of this ...

I can't quite decide now if the writers had in mind that Professor Stokes was a Jungian theorist, or if they might even have been loosely basing him on Carl Jung.

The reason this latter idea came to mind was that I realized another specific point of comparison between them:  Jung was deeply involved with the I-Ching ... and as we will later learn, T.E. Stokes is, too.


I have a biography of Jung that would probably have the answers, but I haven't had time to read it.

-Vlad

Dear Professor Vlad (sorry, I can't resist that!)  

No, you're not off-the-wall at all!  I found myself nodding as I read your astute analysis of Prof. Stokes' possible academic leanings.  Although it has been eons since I took that one psychology course, I do recall enough about Carl Jung to agree with you.  If one remembers anything at all about Jung, it is his ideas about archetypes which DS is certainly full of.  What I didn't know was that Jung used I Ching wands - very interesting!  

Yes, I believe that much of Freud (and, I would imagine, Jung as well) has been discounted recently, although I often find Jung's view of the human psyche more convincing than Freud's obsession with sex.  

As for Prof. Stokes, he has long been one of my favorite characters - right up there with Barnabas, Julia and Angelique.  I often view him as the voice of reason in the often chaotic and nightmarish world of Dark Shadows.  It is reasonable to assume that he came to parapsychology from psychology, although I would envision him also as an expert in folklore and mythology, which again would relate back to Jung.  

Can't you just imagine Prof. Stokes in his own show, investigating cases of hauntings, curses, and other strange paranormal phenomena?  At the end of each episode, he would return to his well-worn armchair and sip sherry by firelight!  

Now, back to work, Vlad!!  

[Daphne]

Vlad wrote:

And I'm wondering -- just speculating at this point -- if Stokes' understanding of Parallel Time (... in a future storyline... ) might relate to Jung's theory of synchronicity. I only have a basic understanding of synchronicity and don't really know what the underpinnings of the theory are, but something makes me wonder if parallel universes might enter into it.

....there's really such thing as parallel time??   Pishposh....call me Roger Collins, but I don't believe.....there was actually someone who thought so?? KEEEEEEEWL I'm soooo looking 4ward 2 taking Psycology/Sociology next year!!!!!  


Happybat wrote:

Can't you just imagine Prof. Stokes in his own show, investigating cases of hauntings, curses, and other strange paranormal phenomena?  At the end of each episode, he would return to his well-worn armchair and sip sherry by firelight!

Sounds like something from Alfred Hitchcock Presents, lol

[Philippe Cordier]

Wow, quite a few suggestions here!

Seems you opened a can of worms here, Luciaphil.  

After reading all of them, I'm inclined to go with English as Eliot's subject.  It would allow him to dabble in a variety of subfields.  

I'm only too happy to be in the same court as Professor Stokes!  It does seem that we English lit types (though I'll speak only for myself) do have wide-ranging interests ...  

But what about Thom's comment that Stokes is identified as a psychiatrist in a later storyline?  I don't remember that at all, but it would seem to confirm my theory.  Could the identification have been somewhat vague, simply suggesting he was a therapist or analyst?  I don't think he's ever referred to as "doctor," which would be necessary if he were a psychiatrist.

But if he's a psychologist or another type of therapist or analyst, he could receive a physician's referrals, as Thom says is the case.

Daphne wrote:

....there's really such thing as parallel time?Pishposh....call me Roger Collins, but I don't believe.....there was actually someone who thought so??

I don't know about parallel time, but parallel universes are definitely predicted to exist alongside our own in the latest theories of many leading physicists. And if there are parallel universes, it would stand to reason that their time is parallel to ours, too.  Whether these parallel universes are actually like ours (i.e., with people, etc.) is a completely different matter ...

*  *  *

Happybat ... Thank you!  

I promise this will be absolutely my last post until I finish that darn final paper!