Challenger Deep Themes and Reflection

When I first started to read Challenger Deep I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I knew the book was about a kid suffering from a mental illness, but I didn't know how that was connected to the Marianas Trench; where the book derives its name Challenger Deep. Not long after starting the novel, I began to see that the Marianas Trench; which is the deepest point on earth, is directly connected to the deepest part of the main character's mental illness. The main character in the novel Caden is beginning to be struggle between reality and the hallucinations caused by his mental illness.

I enjoyed this novel because to me it really captures the mindset of someone that is struggling to hang on to reality. In the novel Caden constantly struggles with what is real and what is not. His visions of this ship that he is on become so real to him, that it affects how he acts in real life. At one point in the novel Caden does not study for a science test, because he is certain that he knows all of the answers already; due to an earlier vision he had that led him to believe so (Shusterman pg. 69/70). Caden has these immersive visions about a ship, that he is taking to challenger deep to search for sunken treasure. Most of the people that are close to Caden appear in his visions as crew aboard this ship; yet he doesn't seem to realize that the ship is not real. The main character appears to perceive these people in a mirror image situation. He doesn't realize that he is doing this because of his mental state. I think the novel really captures Caden's decent into madness. Although Caden eventually succumbs to his illness, and later finds a way to overcome his illness and return to reality.

Challenger Deep has really given me great insight into the mind of someone suffering from a mental illness. After being admitted to a mental hospital, Caden says "I lie on my bed and wait for the world to end. It must end eventually, because I can't imagine it going on like this. “This procession of gray days in a mental fog must eventually cease." (Shusterman pg. 273).  In that statement, I can get a sense of what it must be like for someone who is struggling with a mental illness; someone that does not entirely understand what is happening to them or why. Mental illnesses are truly debilitating diseases to those inflicted with them. Challenger Deep does a great job of giving the reader a glimpse into that world.

The theme I most identified from this novel is a decent into madness. Caden is gradually overcome by his mental illness as the novel goes on. As the reader I feel you can see that Caden is slipping deeper into his illness, even though Caden is unaware. I also think that this theme connects well will the overall concept of the book. The captain and the trench signify Caden slipping deeper into madness, the deeper they descend into the trench the more control his illness has over his mind. After Caden comes to terms with his illness and is able to overcome it, he says "My illness has dragged us all through the trenches, and although my trench was, well the Marianas, I won't discount what my family has been through." (Shusterman pg.304). For me, this statement sums up the connection of his mental illness and challenger deep nicely. Here are some images I believe illustrate Caden's decent into madness.

"If I commit to this dive, there's no undoing it." (Shusterman pg.286)

 "I spread my arms like a skydiver, giving myself over to it." (Shusterman pg.287)

 "It should take three and a half minutes to fall to the bottom of the trench, but I fall much longer than that. The minutes stretch until they feel like hours." (Shusterman pg. 288) 

 "I plunge into the silty gray ooze that lines the bottom of the world. Gray, not black. This is where the black pitch goes to die." (Shusterman pg.288)

"Maybe one day I'll dive so deep that the Abyssal Serpent will catch me, and I'll never find my way back. But it's not going to happen today- and there is a deep, abiding comfort in that. Deep enough to carry me through till tomorrow." (Shusterman pg. 308)

Shusterman, Neal (2015) Challenger deep New York, NY: Harper-Collins Publishers

The Lovely Bones Reflection

When I first started reading the Lovely Bones, I was very surprised and intrigued after finishing the first chapter. After first reading the title, I imagined that someone was going to be killed, but I was shocked that the young girl narrating the story is killed off in the first chapter. I figured it would be at least four or five chapters until someone was killed off, but boy was I wrong. After this surprising development my curiosity was peaked, and I had to know what the rest of the book was about.

As I continued to read the rest of the novel, I was surprised to read so much about the killer’s life. I have read about serial killers in the past, but it was very different for me after having learned so much about mental illness in the past few weeks. I saw the serial killer not as some crazed loner that killed strictly for enjoyment and pleasure, but as someone who was suffering from a mental illness that struggled to control their impulses. In the case of the lovely bones, the killer (Mr. Harvey) was brought up in an abusive household that I believe played a big part in contributing to his mental illness. I know that influences early in our development go a long way in shaping the people we later turn out to be. But in the case of Mr. Harvey I feel that he genuinely was suffering from a mental illness in addition to his influential childhood. Anyone who dreams about killing women and children probably has more problems than just horribly parents. Also the fact that Mr. Harvey doesn't feel any remorse for his victims and takes pleasure in committing the atrocious acts, tells me that he is a classic Sociopath. Also many people suffering from anti-social personality disorder have been known to show no remorse as well. I believe that Mr. Harvey wanted to fit in, just lacked the ability to stop his psychotic impulses; I think that Mr. Harvey setting timers on his lights and binds to open and close like "Normal" people’s houses supports this.

I believe that some serial killers might very well have never committed their crimes had they received treatment for their mental illness earlier in life. But it is extremely difficult to know if someone is suffering from a mental illness or having disturbing thoughts, if they are constantly trying to hide them from the outside world. All of our main readings so far have shown us a main character suffering from a mental illness that is desperately trying to fit into society. I believe that the human condition is a very complex topic that applies to everyone differently. In my opinion some people are influenced more by their upbringing than others. Some people have been raised in absolutely horrible conditions and went on to lead ordinary lives with no adverse effects. Others might suffer affects later on in life after just one unfortunate event in their childhood. The Lovely Bones has further expanded my understanding of mental illness, and I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Thoughts and Reflection

After finishing The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I have yet again expanded my understanding of mental illness. The book caught me off guard with the amount of adversity that the main character (Junior) is faced with through his early stages in life. Junior sees such hardship as changing schools, being alienated by friends, and losing multiple loved ones. Junior also struggled with issues such as: Identity, Acceptance, Loss, and Isolation to name a few. All these adversities Junior faced and he still managed to finish school with decent grades, mend old friendships, and stay alcohol free in an environment filled with alcoholism.

Before I read this novel, I believed most people suffering from alcoholism or drug related addictions to be weak. I believed that they were simply people who did not want to deal with their problems; and subsequently turned to a drugs to ease their pain and suffering. But after I finished the novel I realized that not only are these people suffering from addiction not because they are weak; but because they are more than likely trapped in an endless cycle of negative influences that caused their addiction. Many people struggling with addictions where surrounded by addicts’ their entire life; and therefore perceive their actions as normal. Mental illness also plays a big part in many addicts’ lives; although many addicts never come to the realization that their addiction may have been caused by an un-diagnosed mental illness.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in my opinion does fit well with the other books on mental illness that we've covered so far. I believe it fits well, because it makes the reader look at mental illness in a different light than we are used to. We already know mental illness is very complex and affects people differently. But the novel sheds light on a side of mental illness that is generally misunderstood by many. Even though the hardships that junior faced were heart breaking, I feel as though the story has an inspiring quality about it. The novel has left me with a feeling of hope. Hope for those suffering from mental illness and poor influences around them, to make the best out of their situation, and to come out okay. It also left me with confidence; to know that no matter what life throws at me, I can overcome it.

Reflections on "The Quiet Room"

What did this book bring to my life?

When I started to read, The Quiet Room I felt I had a fairly good grasp on what it meant to be mentally ill. After finishing the book I can tell you without a doubt, that my presumptions were dead wrong. I still find it difficult to wrap my head around the adversity that this young woman (Lori Schiller) faced on a day to day basis. The daily struggles she endured just trying to do something as simple as; hold down a conversation with a friend or loved one. The constant and ever relentless tormenting from the voices in her head would have driven anyone of us out of our minds. I feel that this was the aspect of mental illness that I truly never understood until finishing this book; the constant never ending, never fading, tormenting of the voices in her head. I asked myself, what would I do if I couldn't sleep through the night without being jolted awake by the screaming of voices inside my own head? What if I heard voices that nobody else could hear or understand; voices that would belittle you and tell you to do unthinkable things 24/7? What it must have been like to live like this for years, is unimaginable to me.

It completely changed my outlook on what someone suffering from a mental illness goes through on a daily basis. Also, the type of commitment it takes to learn to live with a mental illness in the face of overwhelming adversity. At so many points throughout her story, I couldn't blame her for wanting to take her own life. I believe that any less of a person would have taken their own life in her situation. And through all the turmoil and unimaginable circumstances; she persevered. I found the story to eye opening as well as uplifting. 

Would I recommend this book to a friend?

This story deserves to be told, and I have already recommended this to a few of my friends; and I hope they found it as provocative as I did. I was able to take away from this book; a better understanding of the power mental illness can have over one’s mind and the perseverance of the human spirit. It was a pleasure reading this book, and I feel better after having read it; I hope others feel the same.

If I wrote a sequel to The Quiet Room, what would it be about?

I feel if I were to write a sequel to this book, I would call it: Free from Within. And it would tell the story of Lori Schiller after she gets a grip on schizophrenia, and the challenges she faced trying to live a "Normal" life. I would tell the story of her 3 and half years at the Search for Change home, trying to adjust to life outside of the hospital. 

Understanding Mental Illness

Mental health is a topic that many people don't like to talk about. The term "Mentally Ill" has a sort of negative stigma that makes people feel uncomfortable. One of the major downsides to this; is if people don't talk about mental illness, they won't be able to understand it. And if we can't understand what it's like for a person suffering from a mental illness, we will never be able to give them the help or support that they need to overcome their disorder.

We know today that there are many different types of mental illness. Some of the more well-known types are: dyslexia, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette’s, and schizophrenia. But even something as common as depression or anxiety are forms of mental illness. If we think back to the 1950s, our understanding of mental illness was very different. In the 50s it was common practice for doctors to preform lobotomies on patients suffering from various mental illnesses. A lobotomy is a procedure in which the connections between your prefrontal cortex and the rest of your brain are severed. This is usually done by inserting a long spike through your eye socket into your frontal lobe, and then rotating the spike until the connections are severed. As barbaric as this may sound, in the 1950s this was cutting edge medicine. It just goes to show you that the more we come to understand something as complex as mental illness; the greater the chance we have of effectively treating and helping those suffering from mental illness.

I think that the media and television have done a great job in recent years, by shedding light on the importance of mental health. If you turn on the Lifetime network; it’s virtually impossible to watch a program without a character suffering from some sort of mental illness. Also, the media recently has been pushing the issue of whether or not concussions are linked to mental illness. The more light we can shed on the subject of mental health, the better we might come to understand these complex disorders.

After reading some of the poems by Kaitlyn Tramp, I realize how hard it can be to know if someone close to you is suffering with a mental illness. We assume that if a person’s seems happy and content that everything in their life is fine. When in reality, a person suffering is often trying to hide their pain from the world. So that happy appearance they put on every day; is actually hiding a very dark and lonely individual, in desperate need of help. I found her writings to be inspirational; in how she was able to cope with her inner demons by writing poems. I hope her writings find someone else who is suffering, and help them to confront their illness.