Between Lives: Nora Seed's Journey Through Erikson's Identity vs. Role Confusion in "The Midnight Library"

Abstract

This paper examines Matt Haig's 2020 novel "The Midnight Library" through the lens of Erik Erikson's psychosocial developmental theory, specifically focusing on the fifth stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion. The protagonist, Nora Seed, experiences a profound existential crisis that manifests as multiple suicide attempts, followed by a journey through the metaphysical "Midnight Library" where she explores alternate versions of her life. This research analyzes how Nora's journey represents the delayed resolution of adolescent identity formation and demonstrates how the narrative arc of the novel parallels Erikson's conceptualization of identity development. Through textual analysis and application of Eriksonian theory, this paper argues that Nora's eventual self-acceptance and life-affirming choice represent the successful resolution of the identity crisis that had remained unresolved into her adulthood. The findings suggest that Haig's novel offers valuable insights into the complexity of identity formation in contemporary society and illustrates how identity crises can persist and be resolved beyond adolescence.