Dee’s comment > Likes and Comments
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I don't quite agree with you on that. I think she was just so overwhelmed with everything that was happening that it just broke her.
agree to disagree - I guess - from the psychological perspective - I get that there are breaking points - heck, I've studied it, but it just didn't ring true to me in this case - the time different between her escape (which also didn't really jive) and the attempt just felt weird...from what I have read - they mostly happen right after the escape or much further down the road...it just felt wrong - I don't know if I can explain it any other way
- and if she had been that strong for Jack for those 5 years, why now all of a sudden - he was her purpose for surviving all those years, and now she is going to give up on him - when her family has basically disintegrated while she was gone
Interesting discussion. I think that it is when she feels she can relax (somewhat) that she doesn't have to be strong for Jack anymore that the trauma gets to her. I have to admit though, it's been 2 years since I read this book and I can't recall the timeline as well anymore.
It's like when you have a huge crisis to deal with and you push to get through it and then when the crisis is over you get knocked flat by a virus. Your body is just acquiescing to something that had always been there, it's just now you can finally let your guard down.
The attempted suicide took place after the press conference where she was probably felt attacked. Her parenting decisions were questioned harshly and she probably began to question the decisions she made in relation to Jack and then began feeling overwhelmed. Remember she had these 'blank' days when she didn't do anything and Jack took care of himself so now, after all that harsh spotlight, her depression probably became too much for her to handle.
I personally found the questioning of her parenting decisions to be unrealistic in itself. I realize no one could completely understand her situation, but the way they reacted seemed overly insensitive. The mother's reactions to freedom seemed somewhat unrealistic to me too. I can see how a person in this situation would try to commit suicide after leaving, but based on how well she was adjusting in some ways, and the take-charge attitude she adopted at times after leaving, she didn't really appear weak enough to have reached that point. It just seemed out of character.
I have to agree with Dee. Even though there were hints during captivity that she would go into these "funk periods" it seemed odd that after she was finally free, she would try to kill herself (and leave her son).
The suicide attempt bothered me too, but I thought it was portrayed with a lot of sensitivity and validity.
She obviously struggled with depression- when she would have her days when she would sleep all day. I would be so overwhelmed having to change everything to fit into the outside world. They were both so "safe" in their own little world in ways only locked up people can understand. they say even with prisoners that finally get free after 20 years. they want to be back where they can handle the routine and nothing is expected of them but the basics
Japanese prisoners of war remained strong all through their ordeals. Once they were released and brought back home,many suffered nervous breakdowns - some even became suicidal. So no, I do not find this unlikely. Her trauma would have affected her deeply.
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Sharon
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Dec 11, 2012 06:37PM
I don't quite agree with you on that. I think she was just so overwhelmed with everything that was happening that it just broke her.
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agree to disagree - I guess - from the psychological perspective - I get that there are breaking points - heck, I've studied it, but it just didn't ring true to me in this case - the time different between her escape (which also didn't really jive) and the attempt just felt weird...from what I have read - they mostly happen right after the escape or much further down the road...it just felt wrong - I don't know if I can explain it any other way- and if she had been that strong for Jack for those 5 years, why now all of a sudden - he was her purpose for surviving all those years, and now she is going to give up on him - when her family has basically disintegrated while she was gone
Interesting discussion. I think that it is when she feels she can relax (somewhat) that she doesn't have to be strong for Jack anymore that the trauma gets to her. I have to admit though, it's been 2 years since I read this book and I can't recall the timeline as well anymore. It's like when you have a huge crisis to deal with and you push to get through it and then when the crisis is over you get knocked flat by a virus. Your body is just acquiescing to something that had always been there, it's just now you can finally let your guard down.
The attempted suicide took place after the press conference where she was probably felt attacked. Her parenting decisions were questioned harshly and she probably began to question the decisions she made in relation to Jack and then began feeling overwhelmed. Remember she had these 'blank' days when she didn't do anything and Jack took care of himself so now, after all that harsh spotlight, her depression probably became too much for her to handle.
I personally found the questioning of her parenting decisions to be unrealistic in itself. I realize no one could completely understand her situation, but the way they reacted seemed overly insensitive. The mother's reactions to freedom seemed somewhat unrealistic to me too. I can see how a person in this situation would try to commit suicide after leaving, but based on how well she was adjusting in some ways, and the take-charge attitude she adopted at times after leaving, she didn't really appear weak enough to have reached that point. It just seemed out of character.
I have to agree with Dee. Even though there were hints during captivity that she would go into these "funk periods" it seemed odd that after she was finally free, she would try to kill herself (and leave her son).
The suicide attempt bothered me too, but I thought it was portrayed with a lot of sensitivity and validity.
She obviously struggled with depression- when she would have her days when she would sleep all day. I would be so overwhelmed having to change everything to fit into the outside world. They were both so "safe" in their own little world in ways only locked up people can understand. they say even with prisoners that finally get free after 20 years. they want to be back where they can handle the routine and nothing is expected of them but the basics
Japanese prisoners of war remained strong all through their ordeals. Once they were released and brought back home,many suffered nervous breakdowns - some even became suicidal. So no, I do not find this unlikely. Her trauma would have affected her deeply.
