In today’s society, obesity has become a major social epidemic, affecting individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Obesity is not only a health issue, but it also has economic, psychological, and social implications. Many authors have responded to this issue through their work, using various literary techniques to convey their message. This essay will analyze the use of absurdity in three works of fiction "The Fat Girl" by Andre Dubus, "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka, and "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman – to demonstrate the authors' response to the social epidemic of obesity.
Andre Dubus’ "The Fat Girl" is a short story about a young woman named Louise, who struggles with her weight throughout her life. The story is set in the mid-twentieth century, a time when women's bodies were subjected to societal pressure and scrutiny. Through the use of absurdity, Dubus conveys the message that the obsession with weight and body image is ridiculous and detrimental to women's mental health. Louise's mother is an example of the societal pressure placed on women to conform to the ideal body type. Her mother constantly criticizes her weight and tells her that no man will ever love her if she is overweight. This absurd belief is echoed throughout the story, as Louise’s friends and lovers criticize her weight. Louise’s obsession with her weight eventually leads to an eating disorder, and she becomes trapped in a cycle of binge eating and purging. Dubus uses absurdity to criticize the societal pressure on women to conform to a particular body type, highlighting the absurdity of such expectations and the psychological toll they take.
Franz Kafka’s "The Metamorphosis" is a novella about a man named Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find that he has transformed into a giant insect. The story is an allegory for the alienation and isolation experienced by individuals who do not fit into societal norms. Kafka uses absurdity to highlight the social isolation and ostracism experienced by different individuals. In the story, Gregor's family is repulsed by his appearance and treats him like an outcast. His transformation into an insect represents the marginalization and ostracism experienced by those who do not fit into societal norms. It can be shown that "Gregor Samsa found himself in his bed transformed into a monstrous vermin." (Kafka 390). The story also reflects the absurdity of societal expectations, as Gregor's transformation is never fully explained or rationalized. Kafka highlights the irrationality of societal norms and the tragic consequences that can result from not conforming to them.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s "The Yellow Wallpaper" is a short story about a woman who is confined to a room by her husband due to her supposed mental illness. The story critiques the patriarchal society that limits women's freedom and autonomy. This can be shown when it’s said "I sometimes fancy that in my condition if I had less opposition and more society and stimulus—but John says the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad." (Gilman 892). The story's narrator is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper, which she becomes obsessed with. The yellow wallpaper represents the societal expectations placed on women, limiting their autonomy and agency. The narrator’s obsession with the wallpaper reflects her own confinement and her struggle to break free from societal expectations. Gilman demonstrates absurdity to highlight the oppressive nature of societal norms and the need for women to break free from them.
The authors of "The Fat Girl," "The Metamorphosis," and "The Yellow Wallpaper" use absurdity to respond to the social epidemic of obesity. Through their use of literary techniques, they criticize the societal pressure placed on individuals to conform to societal norms and expectations, particularly in regard to body image. They highlight the absurdity of these expectations and the negative psychological consequences they can have. The authors also show the tragic consequences of marginalization and social isolation experienced by those who do not fit into societal norms. Finally, they critique the oppressive nature of patriarchal society, particularly in its limitations on women's freedom and autonomy. The use of absurdity in these works not only emphasizes the societal issue of obesity but also emphasizes the larger issues of societal expectations and limitations on individuals' agency and autonomy.
Furthermore, the use of absurdity in these works also highlights the power of literature as a tool for social critique. By using literary techniques, such as symbolism and allegory, these authors are able to convey their message in a way that is powerful and thought-provoking. They are able to shed light on societal issues that may not be as easily discussed in other mediums, and in doing so, they are able to spark conversations and encourage readers to think critically about these issues.
The use of absurdity in "The Fat Girl," "The Metamorphosis," and "The Yellow Wallpaper" effectively responds to the social epidemic of obesity by highlighting the absurdity of societal expectations and limitations on individuals. These works offer powerful critiques of societal norms and offer a reminder of the importance of agency and autonomy for individuals. Through their use of literary techniques, the authors are able to provoke thought and spark conversations about these important societal issues.
In addition, these works also demonstrate the importance of empathy and understanding in addressing social epidemics such as obesity. Through their use of character development, the authors are able to create empathetic and relatable characters who struggle with weight and body image issues. By humanizing these struggles, the authors encourage readers to empathize with those who may be struggling with obesity or body image issues. This empathy is crucial in addressing social epidemics, as it can help break down the stigma and shame associated with these issues and encourage individuals to seek help and support.
In Summary, the use of absurdity in these works is a powerful response to the social epidemic of obesity. By highlighting the absurdity of societal expectations and limitations on individuals, the authors encourage readers to think critically about these issues and their impact on individuals' mental health and well-being. They also emphasize the importance of agency and autonomy for individuals and the need for empathy and understanding in addressing social epidemics. Through their use of literary techniques, these authors have created works that not only address the issue of obesity but also offer critiques of larger societal issues and encourage readers to engage in important conversations about these issues.
Works Cited
Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Nina Baym, shorter 8th ed., vol. 2, W.W. Norton & Company, 2013, pp. 888-900.
Kafka, Franz. “The Metamorphosis.” The Norton Anthology of World Literature, edited by Martin Puchner et al., 3rd ed., vol. F, W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, pp. 390-435.
O'Connor, Flannery. “The Fat Girl.” The Complete Stories, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1971, pp. 237-252.
Heller, Erich. "The World of Franz Kafka." Critical Essays on Franz Kafka, edited by Ruth V. Gross, G.K. Hall, 1990, pp. 3-22.
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