THE REPRESENTATION OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN 20TH CENTURY LITERATURE: A STUDY OF PSYCHOANALYSIS

Abstract

This study explores the representation of mental illness in 20th century literature especially examining how various authors of English Literature have portrayed psychological disorders and individuals experiencing (mostly the protagonist of their works) them. Moreover, through a close reading of key the literary works (fictions of 20^th century from different cultural and historical contexts, the research investigates the ways in which literature both reflects and shapes societal attitudes toward mental health. The study focuses on recurring themes such as alienation, institutionalization, trauma, and the blurred lines between sanity and madness, as depicted in the works of writers like Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, Ken Kesey, and others. Using a combination of literary analysis and historical contextualization, the research reveals how narratives of mental illness evolved alongside developments in psychology, psychiatry, and public perception. The findings suggest that 20th century literature played a critical role in humanizing individuals with mental illness, challenging stigma, and questioning dominant medical discourses. Ultimately, the study underscores literature's capacity to provide nuanced, empathetic insights into the lived experience of mental distress, while also highlighting the limitations and biases embedded in literary portrayals.