Haruki Murakami’s novel “Norwegian wood” contains elements of violence and mental illness. The story treats mental illness as a natural part of life.In Japan,mental illness is considered to be caused by a weakness in personality rather than a biological dysfunction.This ideology stigmatizes mental health(introduce reference?).Stigmatization is identified by three factors: knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.Murakami explores the tension between these conflicting ideas though the characters in the story.
Naoko and her sanitorium roommate,Reiko both suffer from mental illness.Naoko seems to take on personal responsibility for her state,while Reiko seems to have accepted it.In the beginning of the novel Toru writes to Naoko after she suddenly disappears. …show more content…
When Reiko speaks to Toru about her marriage she explains what went on before she was married. Rieko says“ He fought with his parents over me, and they disowned him….They had my background investigated and found out that I had been hospitalized twice. No wonder they opposed the marriage” (144-145). This is an example of the blatant social distance created due to the association of being hospitalized. To no surprise studies in 2006 show that a large portion of the Japanese population showed an unwillingness to become family with those who suffer from depression or schizophrenia. Reiko’s husband in a way de-stigmatized her, by looking past her past. Though the stigmatization is also lessened when there is more direct contact with healthcare professionals and the mentally ill.In review of mental health in Japan,studies showed less stigmatization by mental health professionals may be due to an accumulation of clinical experience as well as daily contact with people who are mentally ill. Which is similar to how the sanitorium functions. The sanitorium,as Reiko describes, is no ordinary hospital. When Toru arrives Reiko explains the relationship between doctors and their patients.She tells Toru, “We're all each other's mirrors, and the doctors are part of us….Patients with problems like ours are often blessed with special abilities. So everyone here is equal - patients, staff - and you”(117). In the sanitorium,patients are treated as equals, to a point where an outsider like Toru can not even distinguish the staff from the patient. There people are not defined by their
Naoko and her sanitorium roommate,Reiko both suffer from mental illness.Naoko seems to take on personal responsibility for her state,while Reiko seems to have accepted it.In the beginning of the novel Toru writes to Naoko after she suddenly disappears. …show more content…
When Reiko speaks to Toru about her marriage she explains what went on before she was married. Rieko says“ He fought with his parents over me, and they disowned him….They had my background investigated and found out that I had been hospitalized twice. No wonder they opposed the marriage” (144-145). This is an example of the blatant social distance created due to the association of being hospitalized. To no surprise studies in 2006 show that a large portion of the Japanese population showed an unwillingness to become family with those who suffer from depression or schizophrenia. Reiko’s husband in a way de-stigmatized her, by looking past her past. Though the stigmatization is also lessened when there is more direct contact with healthcare professionals and the mentally ill.In review of mental health in Japan,studies showed less stigmatization by mental health professionals may be due to an accumulation of clinical experience as well as daily contact with people who are mentally ill. Which is similar to how the sanitorium functions. The sanitorium,as Reiko describes, is no ordinary hospital. When Toru arrives Reiko explains the relationship between doctors and their patients.She tells Toru, “We're all each other's mirrors, and the doctors are part of us….Patients with problems like ours are often blessed with special abilities. So everyone here is equal - patients, staff - and you”(117). In the sanitorium,patients are treated as equals, to a point where an outsider like Toru can not even distinguish the staff from the patient. There people are not defined by their