Coming Of Age Literature Analysis
English Assignment – Term 4 2016
An Investigation into Coming of Age Literature and its portrayal of the
Stigmatization of Mental Illness
Mental health is a concept widely explored throughout canonical literature with the range of texts exploring such issues being remarkably diverse. In contemporary literature, a number of works have incorporated mental illness as a primary theme. Two texts that do so are ‘The Bell Jar’ and ‘Girl, Interrupted’. The former is a semi-autobiographical novel authored by Sylvia Plath and recited from the perspective of the protagonist, Esther Greenwood. 18-year-old Esther battles with depression as she seeks to escape the shackles of societal stigma. The latter is the memoir of depressed and directionless teenager, …show more content…
The late 20th century saw a prevalent suppression of individualism and an increasingly negative view of mental illness. However, in the years leading up the 1970s, the psychological field witnesses an immense growth despite the intolerance still present. As the psychological field expands, terminology grows, and the discourse used to define those diagnosed becomes more specific. For Susanna Kaysen, author of Girl, Interrupted, these labels become a struggle of identity, as she comes to terms with being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Similar to The Bell Jar, the memoir follows Kaysen’s downward spiral into depression, resulting in a suicide attempt. Catalysed by societal perceptions, Susanna’s struggle with mental illness lands her in McLean, a renowned psychiatric hospital. However, unlike The Bell Jar, Girl, Interrupted captures more than the protagonist, reminding the audience that many great people have walked in and out of those barred doors (The Bell Jar and Girl, Interrupted , 2011). In a stark contrast to The Bell Jar’s protagonist, Esther, McLean does not serve to isolate Kaysen. In analogise to Esther, Susanna does not respond to medical treatment. Instead, she reacts to the environment and those around her, fostering relationships with other patients. Her friendship with sociopath, Lisa, a character who alters Kaysen’s temperament throughout the memoir. Despite the non-chronological arrangement of the novel, the audience is able to observe the development of Kaysen’s character throughout. From the commencement of the memoir Susanna is the opposite of societal endorsement, she is sexually promiscuous and recalcitrant. However, as the text continues her personality and interactions with others alter. Kaysen’s stint at McLean forces her to asses
An Investigation into Coming of Age Literature and its portrayal of the
Stigmatization of Mental Illness
Mental health is a concept widely explored throughout canonical literature with the range of texts exploring such issues being remarkably diverse. In contemporary literature, a number of works have incorporated mental illness as a primary theme. Two texts that do so are ‘The Bell Jar’ and ‘Girl, Interrupted’. The former is a semi-autobiographical novel authored by Sylvia Plath and recited from the perspective of the protagonist, Esther Greenwood. 18-year-old Esther battles with depression as she seeks to escape the shackles of societal stigma. The latter is the memoir of depressed and directionless teenager, …show more content…
The late 20th century saw a prevalent suppression of individualism and an increasingly negative view of mental illness. However, in the years leading up the 1970s, the psychological field witnesses an immense growth despite the intolerance still present. As the psychological field expands, terminology grows, and the discourse used to define those diagnosed becomes more specific. For Susanna Kaysen, author of Girl, Interrupted, these labels become a struggle of identity, as she comes to terms with being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Similar to The Bell Jar, the memoir follows Kaysen’s downward spiral into depression, resulting in a suicide attempt. Catalysed by societal perceptions, Susanna’s struggle with mental illness lands her in McLean, a renowned psychiatric hospital. However, unlike The Bell Jar, Girl, Interrupted captures more than the protagonist, reminding the audience that many great people have walked in and out of those barred doors (The Bell Jar and Girl, Interrupted , 2011). In a stark contrast to The Bell Jar’s protagonist, Esther, McLean does not serve to isolate Kaysen. In analogise to Esther, Susanna does not respond to medical treatment. Instead, she reacts to the environment and those around her, fostering relationships with other patients. Her friendship with sociopath, Lisa, a character who alters Kaysen’s temperament throughout the memoir. Despite the non-chronological arrangement of the novel, the audience is able to observe the development of Kaysen’s character throughout. From the commencement of the memoir Susanna is the opposite of societal endorsement, she is sexually promiscuous and recalcitrant. However, as the text continues her personality and interactions with others alter. Kaysen’s stint at McLean forces her to asses