Metaphors for Chronic Pain in Young Adult Novels Restricted; Files Only
Thakkar, Vrushali (Spring 2024)
Published
Abstract
Maybe we invented metaphor as a response to pain. Maybe we needed to give shape to the opaque, deep-down pain that evades both sense and senses.
—John Green
Chronic pain is a persistent and often misunderstood illness, especially in young people. It encompasses physical, emotional, and social dimensions, and can potentially overcome an individual's sense of identity. Metaphors offer a unique tool to capture this complex experience, particularly for children who are still developing their understanding of serious illnesses, its origins, its implications, and how it connects with their own identity formation. For instance, while understanding the pain itself and its medical diagnosis may be elusive, metaphors can translate the abstractions into things that children can imagine—"a relentless storm raging within," or "an uninvited guest that never leaves”—providing a more accessible understanding of pain’s pervasive and enduring impact.
My thesis examines the representation of chronic pain through metaphors in young adult novels. This exploration is grounded in the understanding that metaphors play a crucial role in grasping abstract concepts and facilitating cognitive reasoning, as well as a commitment to the ways that language, literature, and creativity can help young people better thrive, even while enduring chronic pain. After surveying metaphor theory and its applicability to persistent problems of physicians communicating with young people about their chronic pain, I focus on three popular young adult novels: Harry Potter, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Maze Runner. In Harry Potter, I closely examine the use of “burning” and “searing” scars, exploring their connection to trauma, fire, and heat symbolism. In The Fault in Our Stars, I focus on the characters' encounters with “pain scales,” widely used in clinical settings, and how the characters perceive them as oversimplifying their pain. Lastly, in The Maze Runner, I explore the chronic disease “The Flare” afflicting the characters and the resulting stigma and judgment from community members. I aim to illuminate the ways that children’s caregivers and physicians can harness the power of metaphors and literature when caring for young people in chronic pain.
Table of Contents
Chapter One. Introduction
Introduction
Defining Chronic Pain
Metaphors of Pain
Chronic vs. Acute Pain
How Children Interpret Metaphorical Language
The Role of Books
Methodology of Choosing Literature
Chapter Two. ‘Searing’ and ‘Burning’ Scars: Harry Potter
Acute Trauma
Metaphors of Fire and Heat
Chapter Three. Quantify Your Pain: The Fault in Our Stars
Pain Scales in Clinical Settings
Oversimplification of Pain
Chapter Four. The Flare: A Chronic Condition in The Maze Runner
All-Consuming: ‘Eating’ as a Metaphor
Societal Perceptions of The Flare
Novels as a Medium for Trauma-Informed Care
Conclusion
Bibliography
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File download under embargo until 24 May 2026 | 2024-04-22 21:11:04 -0400 | File download under embargo until 24 May 2026 |
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