Representations of Mental Health in Contemporary American Literature: Exploring the Portrayal of Mental Health in a Psychoanalytical Reading Case Study of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (2017)

Abstract

In contemporary American literary works, mental health is presented differently. These works depict a blurry line between sanity and lunacy; however, the clarification of the concept requires further studies so that the meaning and the interpretation of the concept may be grasped. This study aims to contribute to the growing understanding of how authors depict issues of mental health and expound the role of social conversations about mental health issues and awareness in contemporary American literature. Moreover, this study discusses mental illness stigma and social support in Gail Honeyman‘s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. To achieve the aim of the study, three questions are asked: First, how do contemporary authors depict issues of mental health in fictional characters? Second, how can creative storytelling contribute to meaningful and stimulating conversations about mental health awareness? Third, how can creative storytelling illuminate personal issues? This study adopts a qualitative approach, with a primary focus on textual analysis of depictions of mental health in society in contemporary American literary works. After the textual-conceptual analysis, it appears that mental health is represented differently from one individual to another based on personal experiences and growth, mostly when each individual is influenced by past-traumatic events. Nonetheless, when social support and hope are present, the situation does not always end with depression and long- lasting mental illness stigma; instead, it blossoms into redemption, healing, and giving self- second-chances