What Depression Sounds Like in Writing
While on the surface, David Foster Wallace’s short story “The Depressed Person” follows the daily life of a woman who is debilitated by depression, underneath one may see that it accomplishes a larger goal.
The story possesses the ability to send a message about depression in a way that scientific articles are not able to, as the text makes the reader feel as though they are the protagonist undergoing the mental turmoil. The writing style and format both play individual roles in capturing the intricacies of the protagonist’s emotional state, and challenges traditional storytelling structures. The fragmented nature of depression is shown in full, and Wallace does not shy away from aspects of the condition that may be vulnerable.
His portrayal of depression is unflinching, as the mental anguish of the protagonist is something that elicits a genuine emotional response in the reader. The text works to not only tell a story, but to instill intensity in the reader. “The Depressed Person” is able to do something, rather than simply say something through Wallace’s use of narrative techniques, unique style and format, as well as psychological realism.
While the story follows the daily life of a woman struggling with depression, it does not showcase this through first person, but rather third person. The voice of the narrative comes from inside the story, yet is also a slightly distanced perspective of an outsider. This sense of looking in on a person, rather than they themselves telling us how they feel, allows for readers to feel as though they have front row seats into this woman's suffering. The story consists of a stream of consciousness, as Wallace uses fragmented thoughts and internal monologue to depict the mental state of the protagonist.
There is a combination of both empathy and detachment in the voice of the narrator, which reflects the struggle which comes with understanding and helping a person dealing with depression, as shown in the first line, “The depressed person was in terrible and unceasing emotional pain, and the impossibility of sharing or articulating this pain was itself a component of the pain and a contributing factor in its essential horror.” The several uses of repetition conveys the cyclical nature of depression, as the woman continues to do the same things over and over despite them having the same result, dissatisfaction.
The fact that the protagonist is only referred to as “the depressed person” represents the way in which characters are viewed in the story, as other characters are addressed in the same way, such as “the therapist” and “the support system”, the actual names of those we are never told. This specific type of narration plays a giant role in how the story is understood, as we are allowed to sit back and witness the story as a fly on the wall, seeing that which the protagonist herself is oblivious to, or unwilling to see.
The style of “The Depressed Person” is one that was very unique for its time, and utilizes many of the absurdist and postmodern mannerisms we see today. Since the story focuses on the experience of a character in situations where she is unable to find any inherent purpose in life, this is most often represented by ultimately meaningless actions and events. The narrator calls a therapist she knows does not help her, and calls her “support system” despite her understanding that her calling is a bother to them, as shown in the lines, “...the depressed person's Support System tended to be either female acquaintances from childhood or else girls she had roomed with at various stages of her school career…whom she called late in the evening, long-distance, for badly needed sharing and support and just a few well-chosen words to help her get some realistic perspective on the day's despair.”
Characterized by the use of metafiction, unreliable narration, and the thematic portrayal of social issues, postmodernism is very present in the story. There is very little emphasis on plot, as the text's main purpose is not to tell you about depression, but to make you feel depressed. Wallace often engages in long, intricate sentences that meander through various thoughts and emotions, mirroring the tangled nature of a depressed mind. This style allows for readers to immerse themselves in the protagonist's internal struggles, and experiencing the labyrinthine journey of her thoughts firsthand. Wallace's writing style captures the fragmented and disjointed nature of depression, creating a narrative that is deeply personal and introspective. Wallace’s overbearing use of footnotes adds to this effect, as the reader finds themselves forced to read through them before moving onto the rest of the equally depressing narrative.
In addition to his distinctive writing style, Wallace employs unconventional formats within his works, experimenting with endnotes, digressions, and non-linear narrative. This format reflects the fragmented nature of her depressive state, as well as the difficulty of linearly conveying her experiences. The non-linear structure invites readers to explore the depths of Wallace's mind, mirroring the erratic thought patterns often experienced by those with depression.
The psychological realism in the text adds to the story's ability to convince readers of its implications and importance in real life, as Wallace’s portrayal of depression is authentic in its representation of the condition. It is an exploration into the internal battles, conflicts, and contradictions that individuals with depression often face. It is an examination of the toll that depression often takes on personal relationships and portrays the difficulty of finding solace.
At the same time, it is important to note that Wallace does employ elements of satire within the story. His use of irony and exaggerated language highlights certain perceptions of mental health. Wallace satirizes the superficiality and self-absorption that can accompany depression, as shown in the lines “The depressed person's parents, for example, who had divorced when she was a child, had used her as a pawn in the sick games they played…if considered from a certain perspective, a form of neglect or abandonment or even outright abuse, an abuse clearly connected-here she nearly always inserted that her therapist concurred with this assessment to the bottomless, chronic adult despair she suffered every day and felt hopelessly trapped in.”
Wallace challenges the notion of performative sadness and explores how societal expectations and language can impact how one looks at and experiences depression. There is a definite tone of intentional mockery and humor on the topic, all the while painting a picture of what real depression looks like, such as alienation and difficulty feeling the pain of others, many of which people believe were based on Wallace’s own experiences with such. Through his writing, he navigates the tumultuous landscapes of his mind, offering a raw and unfiltered portrayal of his depressive thoughts and emotions. By delving into his own experiences, Wallace confronts the challenges of depression head-on, using language to delve into the depths of his despair.
In following the daily life of a woman struggling with depression, the reader takes a deep dive into the depressed person’s psyche. We are bombarded with detail after detail about the innermost thoughts and aspects of her existence. Despite her inadequate, shallow and grating personality, we come to see the gruesome characteristics of depression and how they have taken over the protagonist's life. Wallace's candid and articulate use of language fosters empathy and understanding among his readers. By sharing his innermost thoughts, he creates a bridge between his personal experiences and the collective human experience. Through his words, he challenges societal stigmas surrounding mental health, which fosters compassion.
While Wallace's experiences are deeply personal, the universality of his emotions transcends individual circumstances. Despite the specific manifestations of depression, readers find echoes of their own emotional journeys within Wallace's words. The universality of his experiences serves as a powerful reminder that mental health challenges are shared by many, and elicits a sense of solidarity among readers. Wallace's ability to touch on the common threads of human suffering resonates deeply, leaving a lasting emotional impact, as well as highlights words' ability to make someone feel something, rather than just read something.
