Jack Mconamara's Journey Into Insanity
Jacks McNamara had a hard life from the start. Growing up tangled in a web of abuse and alcohol she was forced out of a childlike purity to face the harsh world at a young age which likely triggered many of her struggles with mental illness. And, though the circumstances that pushed her down a path towards insanity would be bitter and rough for any child, she did not think of the insanity they thrust on her as a punishment or burden. Despite her admitted struggles with mental illness she thought of it as a blessing, finding that at her best pieces of artwork often came from her closest calls with tripping over the edge into insanity. And, while David Foster Wallace did not seem to have a “trigger” or “stem” of his depression he had a similar
outlook on his mental health in relation to his writing. He believed that the experiences lent to him by his illness allowed for him to thrive as an author and explore territories that “sane” people would not be able to as they lacked the material he had access to. Even though McNamara and Wallace had vastly different childhoods and encounters with mental illness, they still had extremely similar views on mental health, claiming that it was a blessing which aided their creativity and production of quality artwork.
Astounded by the quality of Wallace’s literary masterpieces, critics jumped on his works with eager anticipation of what he would produce next, a guide to tennis, a recounting of alcoholism or drug use. Nothing was off limits, and it excited the literary world. While Wallace was praised and accepted by the literary community, the narrator of The Yellow Wallpaper is not even accepted within her own household and is advised against writing or expressing her opinions to the world. Unable to express herself freely ultimately leads to her demise and consequently, allows for her to be tossed to the depths of insanity. Conversely, Wallace is able to express himself and is applauded for doing so which allows him to survive teetering on the brink of insanity for much longer. The importance of self expression, especially in the lives of the mentally ill, is easily proven by Wallace, the narrator, and even McNamara, who is also able to survive through the expression of her insanity through artwork.
outlook on his mental health in relation to his writing. He believed that the experiences lent to him by his illness allowed for him to thrive as an author and explore territories that “sane” people would not be able to as they lacked the material he had access to. Even though McNamara and Wallace had vastly different childhoods and encounters with mental illness, they still had extremely similar views on mental health, claiming that it was a blessing which aided their creativity and production of quality artwork.
Astounded by the quality of Wallace’s literary masterpieces, critics jumped on his works with eager anticipation of what he would produce next, a guide to tennis, a recounting of alcoholism or drug use. Nothing was off limits, and it excited the literary world. While Wallace was praised and accepted by the literary community, the narrator of The Yellow Wallpaper is not even accepted within her own household and is advised against writing or expressing her opinions to the world. Unable to express herself freely ultimately leads to her demise and consequently, allows for her to be tossed to the depths of insanity. Conversely, Wallace is able to express himself and is applauded for doing so which allows him to survive teetering on the brink of insanity for much longer. The importance of self expression, especially in the lives of the mentally ill, is easily proven by Wallace, the narrator, and even McNamara, who is also able to survive through the expression of her insanity through artwork.