Mad for Literature, or How The Bell Jar Can Save Your Life
Open Access
Author:
Leamy, Madeline
Area of Honors:
English
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Richard Matthew Doyle, Thesis Supervisor Carla J. Mulford, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
mental health literature empathy pedagogy wellness
Abstract:
In the twenty-first century, mental illness seems to be at an all-time high. Suicide rates have increased dramatically, and yet, it feels as though this is not talked about enough. How do we fix this? How do we start the journey towards mental wellness, individually and as a society? Through reading critical literary texts that share detailed stories of mental struggles, people will learn to be more empathetic, compassionate, and understanding regarding those who are living with altered mental states. Can literature be the missing piece in this equation? Literature has incredible healing qualities which are explored in depth throughout this thesis. As a way to begin teaching the power of empathy through literature to students, I have proposed the creation of a seminar graduate course titled “Mental Wellness Literature,” with an included description of the course and a syllabus.
