Analysis Of The Center Cannot Hold

The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks is a tremendous novel that entails the life and progression of Mrs. Saks’ disease of schizophrenia. She lived in the City of Miami, Florida during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. She was the oldest child, and was in constant competition with her oldest brother, Warren. From her recollection, there is nothing odd or extra-ordinary in regards to her life during her childhood. She had the regular quirks or abnormalities that come with children, such as being slightly obsessive-compulsive with the order of her room. Elyn was considered the perfect student, due to her grades, however things changed when she confessed to her parents that she had tried marijuana while she had studied abroad in Mexico. When she came …show more content…
She went through a drug rehabilitation center that taught her that all mind altering drugs, regardless of their purpose (whether legal or illegal), were dangerous and could not be trusted. This program caused her much trouble later in her life as she began to suffer from symptoms of schizophrenia. She felt the voices and persons controlling her inside of her head. There was no escape, for they were part of her. However, there was an escape in the form of medications. Elyn couldn’t succumb to this, for this was against everything that she had ever learned or believed for herself. Drugs were evil and they changed the user, and she despised …show more content…
She has taught me much about how having a relationship with God can have such a major impact upon the outlook of life while going through difficulties. Elyn had an incredibly difficult time surviving the beginning stages of her disease because of all the changes that continually occurred. If only she had been given an introduction to Jesus, our Savior, she would have had a friendship that would never change or ever go away. Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The Scriptures specifically state how God is there with us through thick and thin and that he will strengthen us through the trials of life. Elyn attempted to do everything through her own will power instead of going to someone more powerful than her. It may seem like we may never escape the current situation that we are in, but we need to be aware that we are not alone in any of our struggles. We have our fellow believers with us, who should be happy to struggle alongside us. There may be a stigma that is associated with mental illness, but that should not deter believers from ministering through friendship, love, care, and compassion to those afflicted. Damaged does not mean unworthy, but rather one who needs further support. God loves all of us, no matter how damaged or how deep in sin we are, so