The Portrayal of Mental Health in Contemporary Literature: A Comparative Analysis

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis examines the portrayal of mental health in contemporary literature through a comparative analysis. The study investigates how various literary works depict mental health issues, exploring the representations of characters experiencing mental health challenges and the impact of these portrayals on readers. The research delves into a selection of contemporary literary texts across different genres to analyze the nuanced ways in which mental health is depicted and the themes that emerge from these portrayals. By employing a comparative approach, the study seeks to identify commonalities and differences in the representation of mental health in literature, shedding light on the diverse perspectives and narratives surrounding this complex subject. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the research, outlining the background of the study and the problem statement. The objectives of the study are articulated, along with the limitations and scope of the research. The significance of the study is also highlighted, emphasizing the importance of understanding how mental health is represented in literature. The structure of the thesis is presented, providing a roadmap for the subsequent chapters, and key terms are defined to establish a common understanding of the project. Chapter two offers a comprehensive literature review, analyzing existing scholarship on the portrayal of mental health in literature. Ten key themes emerge from this review, providing a framework for the comparative analysis of contemporary literary works in the subsequent chapters. Chapter three details the research methodology, including the selection criteria for the literary texts analyzed and the analytical framework employed in the comparative analysis. The chapter also discusses the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis procedures, offering insights into the methodology underpinning the study. Chapter four presents the findings of the comparative analysis, examining how mental health is represented in the selected contemporary literary works. The chapter explores the diverse portrayals of mental health issues, the characterization of individuals with mental health challenges, and the thematic explorations related to mental well-being in literature. In the concluding chapter, the study synthesizes the key findings and offers a summary of the comparative analysis. The implications of the research are discussed, highlighting the contributions of the study to the understanding of mental health representation in literature. Recommendations for future research are provided, underscoring the potential for further exploration of this rich and complex topic. Overall, this thesis contributes to the scholarly discourse on mental health representation in literature, offering insights into the varied ways in which contemporary writers engage with and depict mental health issues. Through its comparative analysis of literary texts, the study deepens our understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health portrayal and its significance in shaping narratives and perceptions of mental well-being in society.