In the novel Saving Francesca, the author Melina Marchetta thoroughly portrays the toll that depression can take on a family as a whole as well on an individual; whilst accurately depicting the complexities of what it means to be a teenager dealing with those around you with mental illness. Saving Francesca exposes the reader with themes such as identity, transition, change, friendships, family and perception; and confronts the reader with the reality of depression, showing how unexpected the illness can be and not as much trying to fix it; but live amidst it. A common struggle that teenagers experience is loss of identity – often changing themselves for the approval of others to feel accepted. The author, Melina Marchetti accurately explains the messy emotions that teenagers experience, especially through the main character Francesca, who throughout the novel her life goes through an upheaval, forced to begin at a new school, separated from old friends and dealing with what was her loud and exuberant mother descend into an agonising depression. As Francesca begins at her new school, she joins the small population of girls in a mainly male dominated ‘ co- ed’ school and through the support of new friends; she eventually learns to let go of her preconceptions of what makes a person “cool' and actually begins to enjoy herself by surrounding herself with true friends who support her. At her previous school, Francesca changes her persona to be approved by her friends, teachers and family under the influence of peer pressure. ‘ I was either …show more content…
In Saving Francesca, Francesca explores the true purpose of friendships, especially in comparison to her ex Stella friends and also help deal with her own battle with both her own and her mother's depression, helping her cope through her her time of
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Show MoreLooking for Alibrandi is a novel about a teenage girl, and as the main character, she has a lot of what she calls ‘problems’ but they more like small speed bumps along the way and is struggling to cope with her teenager existence. Throughout Melina Marchetta’s gripping novel, Looking for Alibrandi, many characters face and retell the issues that make being a teenager just that much more difficult. Seventeen year old, Josephine Alibrandi struggles to cope with her strict Italian mother and grandmother, her family background, the ‘John Barton and the Ivy Lloyd’s of this world, and typical teenage problems like wanting a boyfriend and the pressure of just trying to fit in, until she faces some real issues that not every teen has to face. Including
Depression is something that everyone has felt. However severe or minor, that feeling of hopelessness and uselessness is a never-ending void that will continuously pull someone in until there is nothing left. Such is the feeling that Melinda Sordino suffers in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Her depression stems from being raped at a party before freshman year and becomes a social outcast because no one knows what happened. During her first year at high school, she slowly learns how to express herself through her art, symbolized by a tree.
In this current generation depression is becoming more and more prevalent in impressionable teenagers. This issue of depression is also an important theme in the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson in which the main character Melinda tries to overcome after a traumatic summer party. Throughout the novel there are many displays and signs of Melinda's depression. Of these signs the three most noticeable include her low self-esteem which is seen in every one of her decisions, habits of isolation/social withdrawal at school and even at home, and self harm. She unveils these signs of depression with every test and challenge she faces.
After having been mistreated by a boy from the dance hall, Mr. Harling gives Antonia an ultimatum, she either ceases attending the dances or her job with the Harling family would be terminated. Blinded by selfishness and pride, Antonia tenaciously gives up a life of generosity and virtue in exchange for a sad and miserable life of self-centeredness, choosing instead to work for Cutter. However, after living unhappily in an empty relationship with Larry Donovan who promptly abandons her, Antonia’s life focus changes dramatically. She learns the emptiness of self-seeking behavior. It is only after meeting her Bohemian husband Cuzak that Antonia rediscovers her true self again and finds self-fulfillment as a wife and mother.
In the short story, “Seventh Grade,” by Gary Soto, the author pokes fun at the seventh grade boys in the beginning of a school year. The main characters are Victor, Michael, Mr. Bueller, and Teresa, a girl Victor has a crush on. In the end, Victor learns that is it is always best to be himself. The author describes how Victor attempts to impress his dream girlfriend, Teresa.
A short story by Luisa Valenzuela “All About Suicide” is a story that will leave you guessing, wondering what will happen next. You will think to yourself did I read that correctly? Even though Luisa Valenzuela clearly is trying confuse people I believe there is one clear conclusion, looking at all the details in the story I believe what happened was a homicide. Ismael killed the minster, but he knows he is going to get caught in the end so basically he is dead too.
Meg Rosoff’s novels Just in Case and How I Live Now depict adolescent characters that endure psychological difficulties. In both novels, Rosoff explores psychological dimensions by way of mental health concerns, while using the imagination of her respective characters as a source of psychological defence. These characters, namely Justin (formerly David) and Daisy use dogs and their imagination as an instrument of coping, and as a catalyst for communication. Both novels clearly demonstrate the ascription of zoomorphic elements by the adolescent characters which serve to deepen not only our understanding of them, but their understanding of self and their experiences. This brief reading response will seek to demonstrate the way in which Justin and Daisy use dogs and their imagination to cope with mental illness and as a medium for communication.
In Fahrenheit 451, depression caused Guy Montag to become irrational. Ray Bradbury who is the author of Fahrenheit 451 simulated a world, where depression causes Guy Montag to choose irrational actions. Ray Bradbury shows the reader the importance of depression by creating a character named Guy Montag, who begins to question everything he has ever known, and slowly sinks into a depression. At first Guy Montag thinks that he's a happy man, an ordinary man with an ordinary job. Everyday is the same for him, except for one day in particular, when he meets Clarisse McClellan.
Maria Boyd’s novel “Will” clearly demonstrates and showcases multiple existing values, beliefs and ideologies. One such theme which we constantly see is that of depression. Throughout the novel, this theme is challenged and developed on. One such example Will, the protagonist, and his one sided conversations with his deceased father. This constant reminiscence of his father are only present in the latter half of the book when the theme of depression is much more prevalent.
Mental Illness affects an immense amount of individuals no matter their race, culture or age. It is everywhere we go, yet still an issue some choose to ignore; whether it is the person facing the illness or those around them. People handle their sickness in a variety of ways. Some by using violence as their only answer, others run away from their issue and majority choose to accept and make the best of it. After reading the novel The Secret Life of Bees, it would be easy to think that the main theme is discrimination or family, but in reality it is actually focused on the toll that mental illness takes on a family.
Friendship is strong and can last a lifetime. In John Green's “Freak the Geek “a girl has Has problems in Hoover Prep School with older girls. She uses the power of friendship to get through tough times with her best friend. Lauren makes in through challenges and the struggles of Hoover Prep School with the power of friendship. This friendship leads to her being able to cope with the school and helps her build bravery at the same time.
People on medications who suffer from mental illness may not feel like themselves, so many people fear of losing their selves. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual and extreme shifts in a person’s functioning, mood and behavior further conveyed through erratic mood swings. However, the symptoms delusions of grandeur, and racing thoughts get in the way. It’s very important to be understood when dealing with a mental illness, furthermore remember to work out the manic episodes. The author, Adam Haslett, addresses a daily issue battling a disorder in the story “Notes to My Biographer”.
In the book Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen, one of the biggest focal points is mental illness. Mental illness can be tough to talk about, simply because the phrase “mental illness” encompasses such a wide range of conditions and conjures up images of deranged people, but it is very important, especially in this book. There is a certain stigma that people who are put into mental hospitals because they have medical problems or are insane and a possible danger to society. While this is sometimes true, it is far more common for patients to need help for a disorder, but just don’t know where to go or what to do, and can end up putting themselves or someone else in danger.
The appeal of adulthood and independence reaches its apex in fervent children. However, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, poet of My Daughter at 14, Christmas Dance, 1981, conveys the paternal perspective of viewing one’s own kin experiencing the “real” world through her daughter’s first relationship. The Family of Little Feet, written by Sarah Cisneros, illuminates the negativities of young girl’s eagerness to physically develop in hope of acquiring attention from possible suitors. While both pieces of literature possess varying perspectives of epiphanies, Gillan and Cisneros divulge the significance of cherishing one’s youth, as the realities of maturity divest children of their innocence.
Gabriella Montez’s primary stereotype is the “nerd.” The first time Gabriella is seen, she is reading a book. This is a common indication used throughout the film industry that leads viewers to make the assumption that the character in question is introverted and intelligent. When Gabriella transfers to a new school, it is made clear that she is in fact academically talented. She is referred to as a “freaky genius girl” and “an Einsteinette.”