A Study of Suicidal Themes in Selected American Novels: A Durkheimian-Barbaglian Reading

Abstract

This study investigates suicidal themes in American novels: All the Bright Places, everything i never told you, and I Was Here. These novels were selected for their in- depth portrayal of suicidal themes and their potential to provide insights into the cultural, sociological, and psychological elements influencing the protagonists' suicidal ideas and choices. The objective of the study is to explore the suicidal themes as portrayed in these American novels and to match them with their parallels in the prevailing societal narratives surrounding suicide and how these narratives intersect with discussions on well-being and quality of life. The study begins with the introduction to focus on providing a detailed background to the concept of suicide as theorized by Durkheim and Barbagli. The introduction is followed by a comprehensive literature review on suicide from different theoretical perspectives critiquing psychological, social, and cultural factors of suicidal behaviours with a focus on Durkheimian and Barbaglian theories in order to strengthen the conceptual background of the study. Literature review follows research methodology to foreground Durkheimian and Bargbalian notions of suicide to prepare for the analysis and discussion of suicidal themes as depicted in the novels. With a phenomenological approach in the background, the research focuses on a close reading of fictional texts from a Durkheimian-Barbaglian perspective. The findings suggest that loneliness, societal pressure, and mental health disorders are crucial factors in the depiction of suicide in the selected American novels. Characters who are emotionally distressed, slurred, and lack support experience suicidal ideation.