Abstract:
This research delves into the analysis and interpretation representation mourning, melancholy,
and ambivalence in the Amharic literary world, specifically in the Amharic novels Yäqənat Zār
(Zar of Jealousy) and Emba ɨnna Saq (Tear and Laughter). It was noted that there are gaps in
previous research regarding the interplay between mourning, melancholy, and ambivalence
within the Amharic literary context. It explores the multifaceted expressions and consequences of
mourning, melancholy, and ambivalence within these narratives. It offers a nuanced
understanding of how personal loss, cultural anxieties, and the complexities of identity
intertwine. For this qualitative research approach, interpretative research paradigm and
descriptive and analytical research design, alongside the psychoanalytic literary theory
employed as a theoretical framework. Through close textual analysis, the research dissects the
characters' experiences of mourning, melancholy and ambivalence. The findings reveal a
nuanced exploration of these emotions and their impact on the characters' lives. The analysis of
mourning reveals that the novels portrayed the causes and sources of mourning, including
themes of loss, death, and depressed feelings, providing insights into the characters' emotional
journeys. Moreover, the novels show how these characters navigate societal norms and
expectations surrounding mourning while also seeking to undergo transformative experiences
through mourning rituals and cultural customs. The analysis of melancholy uncovers its various
causes, such as sudden death and family loss, while delving into its features, including
melancholic depression and preconditions for melancholy. The study reveals the complex
interplay between individual melancholy experiences and larger cultural and historical contexts,
offering a deeper understanding of the characters struggles and the broader implications of
melancholy within Ethiopian society. Furthermore, the examination of ambivalence uncovers the
characters' internal conflicts, regrets, and anxieties, illuminating the multidimensionality of their
psyches. The study highlights how ambivalence serves as a driving force, reflecting the
complexities of cultural expectations, societal pressures, and individual desires in the Amharic
literature, specifically in Amharic novels. By unraveling these emotional landscapes, the
research showcases the richness and depth of human experience depicted in Amharic novels. It
is recommended that the representation of these emotional elements be analyzed in other genres