Committee Chair

Stuart, Christopher

Committee Member

Shaheen, Aaron; Jordan, Joseph P.

Department

Dept. of English

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

In this paper, I analyze two contemporary fiction novels, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh and My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, through the lens of the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Moshfegh satirically critiques diagnostic psychiatry as easily exploitable, and suggests that instead of seeking asylum from pain, we should remind ourselves that happiness and pain exist in harmony; that pain is a part of life. Russell suggests the DSM-5 is imperative to understanding traumatic experiences and the mental disorders which arise from them, such as PTSD. Russell utilizes her knowledge of modern psychiatric practices in order to demonstrate that Vanessa’s perspective is self-protective delusion. Ultimately, both novels highlight the benefit of turning to outside perspectives in order to navigate the moments when mental health and mental illness blend together and the line between the two becomes obfuscated.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. Christopher Stuart for his dedication to this project, for his time, and his sincere understanding and patience as I kept extending (and missing) deadlines. Thank you for never wavering in your belief in the importance of this project, even when I doubted it myself. This project would not be what it is today without your guidance, support, and unrelenting feedback. I am honored to have worked with you, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity. I would also like to thank Dr. Aaron Shaheen and Dr. Joseph Jordan for their enthusiastic offers to be of help in any way they could. I am eternally grateful for your kindness and generosity. I would also like to thank other faculty who played a part not only in the completion of this project, but also in helping me get to this point. Thank you, Dr. Jennifer Stewart, for your mentorship, for allowing your office to be a safe space, and for all of the opportunities you have given me. Thank you, Dr. Rik Hunter, for all of your work as Director of the English Graduate Department. I’m happy that I am finishing this program the same way it began: under your guidance. Lastly, thank you to my family and friends for your emotional support and words of encouragement. Thank you, mom, Katie and David, and Taylor. Thank you to my grad school peers, Alexis, Marion, and Julia. I could not have asked for a better group to navigate the past two years with. Thank you, dad, for being with me in every essay, in every test, in every presentation, in every moment.

Degree

M. A.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts.

Date

12-2024

Subject

Mental illness in literature

Name

Moshfegh, Ottessa--Criticism and interpretation; Russell, Kate Elizabeth--Criticism and interpretation

Keyword

Literature; Mental Illness; DSM

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

iv, 69 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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