Disease and loss as an identity regulator: 'A year of magical thinking' by Joan Didion

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the paper was to investigate whether expressive writing influences the way in which people mourn and grieve. The analysis may be treated as a basis for a discussion as regards expressive writing as a form of therapy.

Method. The book called A Year of Magical Thinking, written by Joan Didion (2016) was analyzed. In the book the author describes her struggle with everyday life after her husband’s sudden death. The memoir was analyzed in accordance with Georges Gusdorf’s (2009) theory of autobiography. Various theories pertaining to the sphere of psychology of health and disease were also discussed: five stages of grief by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (2007) and styles of coping by Norman S. Endler and James D. A. Parker (1990).

Results. The analysis showed that the ‘magical thinking’ implemented by the author is a normative defensive mechanism. Joan Didion’s writing style, deeply rooted in New Journalism, is mixed with reflections regarding death which only adds more sincerity to it. One can observe that Didion progressively goes through successive stages of grief. Moreover, it is clear that Didion’s preferred coping style is a task-oriented one. The fact that she ultimately turns away from ‘magical thinking’ and comes to terms with her husband’s death suggests that expressive writing was one of the factors which helped her with her struggle against grief.

Conclusions. A Year of Magical Thinking represents tanatography and is a logical and coherent reflection of experience of a person struggling with trauma caused by a partner’s death. In order to investigate the impact of expressive writing on wellbeing and health in general, it may be beneficial to analyze the book Blue Nights (2011) in which Didion writes about her daughter’s death.