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Analysis Of James Hillman's Acorn Theory

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Hillman’s Acorn Theory provides deep psychological insight into our child-minds and our potential. Hillman stresses that although children are uneducated, they are not unknowing. The acorn theory metaphorically represents a child. The child is the acorn, and once planted, will sprout into an oak. James Hillman, in his book The Soul’s Code, expresses that everyone is born with something unique (Hillman, 1996, p. 17). They must find their true selves, and not be pressured by their parents or society to conform to the ‘norm’. Each individual is born to do something or be someone, and they have to find it within themselves. Finding this inner self most often comes after experiencing a sort of hardship in which the individual comes to realize their purpose. The individual will also experience callings towards its destiny, or signs that will try to lead the individual to its ultimate purpose. Hillman includes specific examples of this theory in The Soul’s Code. Yehundi Menuhin, a violinist, wanted to learn to play violin. His parents gave him a toy violin, and he “’burst into sobs’” because he wanted the real thing. At age four, Menuhin knew he was destined to play the violin, and did not want to be held back by a ‘fake’ version of the real instrument. The acorn theory suggests that everyone is destined to something, and must follow their callings and ignore societal pressure in order to find their destiny. The acorn theory proves to be true in our own lives. Most times, I feel

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