Monkey Beach By Eden Robinson Analysis

Children who grow up experiencing social neglect and deprivation can experience disinhibited behavior. These children will over-ride their developing brain that helps them differentiate directed attachments because they will seek emotional support at any cost (Minnis et al., 2006). On the other hand, other children may avoid and internalize feelings due the social neglect they experienced. Both varieties of behavior results from unstable and neglectful relationships from caregivers and other prominent figures in the life of the

Neglect trauma is a rising problem, as other forms of trauma, particularly abuse trauma, have decreased of the last couple of years, neglect trauma is rising. In 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Human Services, of all the maltreatment cases “71.1% of those were neglect” (Kazemaian, 2011). Many researchers, (Mersky and Reynolds’, Dierkhising, Kerig, Buffington, Ford, Ryan, and Maxfield) have studied the topic of neglect trauma and juvenile delinquency extensively, and have all

Throughout Monkey Beach, Identity is a constant and important theme. Lisa is trying to define herself in a world which does not appreciate indigenous traditions. Ma-ma-oo says that Gladys once had the same gift and that she could "know who was going to die next"(Robinson 98), but Gladys gave it up as she grew older. In the same way, Gladys is portrayed as fun-loving and adventurous in her youth. We are told of her having made enough snow angels while drunk that, “the whole front yard was covered with them”(Robinson 65). However, Gladys is a flat character who now believes the little man is merely a reoccurring dream. She has not just lost the gift, she has lost part of her culture and belief in the supernatural. Lisa's resistance to the dismissal of her gift is how she differs from her mother, and is a very important part of Lisa's character. Lisa's identity throughout the book is complex, but most importantly, she is underdeveloped as a person. It is important to note that the reason Lisa cannot communicate with the dead very well is because she lacks the required knowledge, this serves as metaphor for future generations being aware of their culture; but not nurturing it to a point of understanding.

During this time of grief, Della feels overwhelmed knowing her mom is not the person she used to be and now is like an “ancient little girl”, which causes her to engage in self-destructive behavior (114). She mentions that she was in “two car accidents” and “was arrested twice” during her senior year. However she said those incidents were not “her fault.” Along with her reckless driving, she says she, “couldn’t keep [her] hands on the wheel” (113). This act of carelessly driving reveals that in a way, she does not care much about herself in those accidents since she does not own up to her actions and simply states that she “couldn’t” hold on to the steering wheel and talks about the accidents and arrest so casually despite the fact that her life was at risk. Della also portrays how people harm themselves when trying to cope with problems by using drugs. On nights when, “the pain wasn’t so bad,” she would go downstairs and “smoke a joint” (115-116). Drugs such as marijuana work as stimulant and a depressant, which means they can enhance mood and put someone is a state of relaxation. For that reason, many people, including Della, use it to cope with their pain. After caring for her mother, “six terrifying hours every night,” she uses the drug to help her escape her problems (115).

The novel translates our problems into real life by showing us how people can, without knowing it, emotionally abuse others because of their lack of knowledge or decisions they have made. The main character Kate, in her adulthood, sees Matt (her older brother) as an unhappy man - because he was unable to follow through with his university dreams. Kate, later attends university expanding her knowledge past that of her brother Matt’s making her feel as if she cannot speak to him in the same way that she used to. At one point in her adulthood Kate said “He was waiting for me to go on, to describe my work to him, but I could not bring myself to do that” (Lawson 275). This connects with the subject matter of emotional abuse because Kate is hurting her older brother Matt. She does not realize that he wants to speak with her and have a relationship with her - she feels that because of her university education she cannot interact with him any more. In the real world many people face emotional abuse. People are ostracized for many reasons including level of intellect or the decisions they have made. Family members and close friends have changed their loved one’s lives because of their opinions on them. In the article Nature vs. Nurture: Mental Illness Triggered By Life Events And Not Through Genetics it is stated that “despite the fact that genetics can potentially influence the individual's mental health, traumatic events are still considered as the most influential factor”. The traumatic event of their parent’s dying resulted in Matt making bad decisions and then later not going university as a result. This caused the greatest tragedy in the novel; the loss of the relationship between Kate and Matt. Kate began to speak less with Matt and when she came to visit him he suffered from anxiety, lack of sleep, etc.. Kate stopped talking to Matt even though

Does being neglected help or hinder children? Traditionally, we think of neglect as a form of abuse. However, the memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, poses the possibility that being neglected as a child can actually help the child to grow up to lead a successful and independent life as an adult. The memoir details the life of author Jeannette Walls and her siblings and how they escaped their impoverished and abusive childhoods to find success and happiness as adults in New York City. Being left to fend for herself as a child allowed Jeannette to become an independent, self- sufficient, and successful adult.

Once the child is neglected and left alone or in an orphanage, they will most likely be exposed to dangerous environments, which might seriously affect their whole life. Children whose parents neglected them often turn to a life of crime, or suffer physical and mental scars. According to the article Neglect During Infancy Can Affect Children For Many Years, Scientist Report by Bio-Medicine states “Many children who are neglected in orphanages during the first months of their life encounter a distinct set of developmental challenges” (Bio-Medicine 1). This indicates the effectiveness of neglect on a child, especially at a young age, just like Baca. In most cases of neglect on a child is more usual to affect a younger child because “the brain develops in early childhood” (Bio-Medicine 1). In the situation with Baca, neglect affected him more than his sibling due to being younger and not having the love and guidance in his life. Since Baca’s brain was still developing he is corrupted mentally because of the issues he has to face in order to survive.

The long term ramifications of child abuse and neglect are profound and may endure long after the maltreatment has occurred. Individuals that undergo such abuse either physically or mentally may affect various aspects of their development. The outcome of abuse and neglect can range from minor effects to fatal situations. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” Dill was emotionally damaged and neglected by his parents.

Throughout the book there is a constant theme of mental and physical abuse, both by

“The child withdraws to a dark hole disconnected from the rest of the world, or watches people with fear and hatred at a far distance, with an internal chaos taking charge of the child’s life.” (Shi, 2014) If a child has been a victim of neglect or abuse, they will have a hard time trusting others. It severely affects them and their way of viewing the world. They get disconnected and stay away from others. They start to resent others, for that’s all they’ve

For example, Jacobs describes her experiences being sexually abused by her master, Dr. Flint. Her life is consumed by fear, as she is constantly worrying

Two factors correlating mental health and child development are abuse and neglect. All forms of abuse from physical, sexual, and emotional have a great impact on the consciousness of a child. Due to the damage abuse causes in their psychological development, children express themselves through their emotions and behavior (Mondal & Das, 2014). The physical aspect is the first thing that comes to mind when we come across the word abuse. It does not only stop at the visible scars and bruises, children can also be abused emotionally. Naturally, a child gravitates their biological mother, when the love and nurturing is absent and instead the void

Once this girl started with the drugs, she could not stop. As soon as she tried the first drug, it lead to all of the other drugs and things that she did. Her first time doing the drug was an accident, and she did not know, but she made the wrong choice in continuing to do them. She said it gave her a feeling of belonging and love that she had never felt before. If her parents or her close friends had paid more attention to her, then some of the events that happened would not have happened. Her heavy drug use lead to her runaway from home to the streets, involvement in crime, her prostitution, and her visit to the insane asylum. She found a "best friend" (Chris) - one that would give her drugs - and they decided to runaway and leave their family and friends to start their own shop in San Francisco. They thought they could not handle their parents telling them what is right and what is wrong, but that is what they needed to hear. They were naive in thinking they could live their lives alone without any rules or any authority.

Effective writing gets the reader engage and makes them understand the story on another level, In W.W. Jacobs implements the theme A good fortune can also be a bad misfortune, and the reader knows by the author Establishing the Setting, Establishing the mood & tone, and introduces a conflict.

An abused child’s reality is different from the imagination; in the mind one can create happiness in a make believe universe. The concept of fusion between a dreamland of vision and reality could never occur in concert; two separate worlds controlled by violence; upon a whim a moment of fear could escalate, therefore, the restriction in place will, in-prison one's soul to suffocate in due time. This restricts the personality from developing and the mind from believing it possesses the power to create those dreams in reality. Several unpleasant disorders, poor choices, death, even murder, ends up happening. Every mind is different, that means every choice is different, one person will handle horrible experiences more appropriate than another,