Holly Schindler once said, "Schizophrenia: A psychotic disorder characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations” to describe someone with this medical condition. Unfortunately, Jacob from Anthony Horowitz’s “The Hitchhiker” is considerably schizophrenic. In this story, a normal 15 year old boy who is taking a car ride home from his birthday trip when his family stops to give a lift to a hitchhiker. At first, the hitchhiker Mr. Rellik seems friendly and safe until he threatens Jacob and shows various signs of prior crime or so Jacob states. Without, a doubt it is shown that Jacob is in trouble and may not survive Mr. Rellik’s goal to kill him. But, later finding out that Mr. Rellik is innocent
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Although, auditory hallucinations can be perceived as real due to the way they are described an article on Schizophrenia. “Research suggests auditory hallucinations occur when people misinterpret their own self talk as coming from an outside source” (¨Schizophrenia¨ 1). Clearly, auditory hallucinations are an exemplary sign of schizophrenia. Similarly, Jacob who faces auditory hallucinations is schizophrenic. For example, Jacob thinks that the man whom his family picked up is a murderer. Since Jacob believes this it seems true to the reader that Mr. Rellik is threatening Jacob silently in the back of the car. “He just mouthed them, making sure my parents couldn’t see. You’re dead” (Horowitz 281). Without knowing it Jacob is seemingly the one who hears this due to his auditory hallucinations and his belief of danger. Not only that, but clearly no one else hears this as he states because it is unrealistic. Jacob is obviously schizophrenic due to his conversation with Mr. Rellik. His belief of being threatened is an auditory hallucination because Jacob interprets his thoughts of fear as actually real. Therefore, believing in Mr. Rellik’s threat may very well be an auditory hallucination showing …show more content…
Throughout, schizophrenia delusions are considered quite common and there are different types of delusions. One common delusion called delusion of reference is described as “a neutral environmental event is believed to have special and personal meaning” (“Schizophrenia’’1). Clearly, there are times when a character may misinterpret another character's body language or characteristics. In his case, Jacob does this as a result of his schizophrenia. Jacob is connected to schizophrenia through auditory hallucinations and also delusion of reference. When Jacob believes Mr. Rellik’s name has special meaning to him in a violent way it shows him as believing something has specific meaning. Jacob thinking of Mr.Rellik’s name states, “But reflected in the mirror it said something else. KILLER” (Horowitz 233-234). Jacobs delusion of reference is specifically due to his reaction on Mr. Rellik’s name backward. When looking at the last name which is not connected to Jacob, he still believes it is. Also, Jacob sees blood on Mr. Rellik or so he states which deludes him to believe it is another treacherous sign of Mr. Rellik’s goal to killing him. While the blood may not be there due to the darkness in the car Jacob it too be. When shaking hands Jacob states, “He pulled his hand away, hiding it behind him. He knew I had seen it. Maybe he wanted me too” (Horowitz 230). Showing that he believed the blood had to do with him with no actual
Although, auditory hallucinations can be perceived as real due to the way they are described an article on Schizophrenia. “Research suggests auditory hallucinations occur when people misinterpret their own self talk as coming from an outside source” (¨Schizophrenia¨ 1). Clearly, auditory hallucinations are an exemplary sign of schizophrenia. Similarly, Jacob who faces auditory hallucinations is schizophrenic. For example, Jacob thinks that the man whom his family picked up is a murderer. Since Jacob believes this it seems true to the reader that Mr. Rellik is threatening Jacob silently in the back of the car. “He just mouthed them, making sure my parents couldn’t see. You’re dead” (Horowitz 281). Without knowing it Jacob is seemingly the one who hears this due to his auditory hallucinations and his belief of danger. Not only that, but clearly no one else hears this as he states because it is unrealistic. Jacob is obviously schizophrenic due to his conversation with Mr. Rellik. His belief of being threatened is an auditory hallucination because Jacob interprets his thoughts of fear as actually real. Therefore, believing in Mr. Rellik’s threat may very well be an auditory hallucination showing …show more content…
Throughout, schizophrenia delusions are considered quite common and there are different types of delusions. One common delusion called delusion of reference is described as “a neutral environmental event is believed to have special and personal meaning” (“Schizophrenia’’1). Clearly, there are times when a character may misinterpret another character's body language or characteristics. In his case, Jacob does this as a result of his schizophrenia. Jacob is connected to schizophrenia through auditory hallucinations and also delusion of reference. When Jacob believes Mr. Rellik’s name has special meaning to him in a violent way it shows him as believing something has specific meaning. Jacob thinking of Mr.Rellik’s name states, “But reflected in the mirror it said something else. KILLER” (Horowitz 233-234). Jacobs delusion of reference is specifically due to his reaction on Mr. Rellik’s name backward. When looking at the last name which is not connected to Jacob, he still believes it is. Also, Jacob sees blood on Mr. Rellik or so he states which deludes him to believe it is another treacherous sign of Mr. Rellik’s goal to killing him. While the blood may not be there due to the darkness in the car Jacob it too be. When shaking hands Jacob states, “He pulled his hand away, hiding it behind him. He knew I had seen it. Maybe he wanted me too” (Horowitz 230). Showing that he believed the blood had to do with him with no actual