The architectural aspects of several of the buildings in this story are very interesting when compared to many of the buildings and homes most of us see in everyday life. The character development and symbolism in this piece are very intriguing.
Introduction
Traumatic events can have varying effects on an individual's short term and long term mental, social, and emotional health. Some may experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and severe depression. This onset of mental illness(es) can change someone's personal interactions with others as well as how they view themself.
Task
Use the links (copy and paste URL) provided to evaluate each character and explain the effect(s) of traumatic event(s) on each character's mental health. Questions will be provided to help guide your thinking and evaluations. Each response should be at least a paragraph and include evidence from the websites.
Process
Links
1. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/impact-traumatic-events-mental-health
Read the section called "What happens when you experience a traumatic event?"
2. https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/compulsive-lying
Read the article while keeping Emma's actions and characteristics in mind.
3. https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/miscarriage/miscarriage-your-questions-answered
Read the sections titled "What are the chances of having a miscarriage?" and "What causes a late miscarriage?"
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580175
Read the abstract provided.
5. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm/
Read the sections titled "What is narcissistic personality disorder?" and "Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder."
Read the article while keeping Edward's actions and characteristics in mind.
Evaluation
1. What event in Emma's life could have led to her compulsive lying?
2. What effects did the robbery have on Emma as an individual? How did it effect her relationship with Simon?
3. Do you think that the possibility of medical malpractice influenced how Jane viewed her miscarriage? Do you think it helped alleviate her depression or worsen it?
4. Was Edward's obsession with being in relationships with females that looked similar a result of his OCD?
5. Do you believe that Edward is a psychopath or a sociopath? Explain your reasoning.
6. What event or events do you think caused Edward to become narcissistic?
7. Compare and contrast the ways traumatic events influenced Emma and Jane and their relationships.
8. Do you think that Simon's obsession with Emma was rooted only out of love or do you think that there was another underlying mental issue behind the obsession?
9. Explain the impact, if any, you think that living in One Folgate Street had on each of the girls' mental health.
10. Do you think that Edward's OCD contributed to his dream of making a community of homes like One Folgate Street?
11. After discovering the revelation about Jane's deceptiveness, do you believe she also has OCD that may be presented in a different form than Edward's?
12. Do you think that Edward's requirement of sacrifice in exchange for being able to live in One Folgate Street is how mental trauma caused by his past is presented?
13. Mental illnesses are thought to be connected to genetic issues. Which character(s), if any, do you think have a family history of mental health issues?
14. What event(s) do you think caused Emma's persistent willingness to give up control in sexual scenarios and allow the other person to become more dominant?
Conclusion
Mental illnesses can present themselves in many different forms and have multiple underlying causes. They may not become obvious upon first glance, but mental illnesses can change how a person sees themself as well as how they interact with others.
