Character Analysis Of Jessica In The Running Dream By Wendelin Van Draanen

In her award winning novel The Running Dream, Wendelin Van Draanen’s extensive research paid off tremendously. Draanen accurately depicts the life of a teenage girl who is learning how to function accordingly with the new disabilities that took her by storm. She captures the main character, Jessica, struggling to overcome both her physical and mental obstacles. Jessica’s running career comes to an abrupt halt as the bus she and the school track team are riding in, is struck by a large truck at high speed. Throughout her recovery journey, Jessica exhibits many psychological characteristics. Battling with isolation, reaction formation and projection, Jessica nevertheless powers through all of her struggles and ultimately becomes the person she

Jessica exhibits this trait by reacting in an odd way as she faces the shocking news about her leg. The day after the accident, she wakes up in the hospital not knowing why she is there or what day it even is. As she opens her eyes, she sees her mother with red puffy eyes and the doctors tell her the horrific news. As she learns that she has no right foot, ankle or shin, Jessica sits on the hospital bed and is in complete and utter shock. Her mother breaks down, letting out a rallying cry while her teenage daughter does not react in the slightest way possible. The main character is simply at a loss of words and has no time to process what has just been told to her. Consequently, Jessica lacks major emotional response while she is told the news about her loss and all of the barriers she must conquer. In another section of the novel, Jessica returns back to school and is trying her hardest to obtain her original routine. As she walks into the school, she is bombarded with numerous questions and condolences. Jessica feels as if she is in both the spotlight and invisible nevertheless she also feels as if people do not know how to react to her. Jessica's depression is

The psychological definition of reaction formation is asserting opposite from the truth. The protagonist claims that she feels splendid, upbeat and she acts as if nothing is wrong, however, in reality she is struggling with major depression and thoughts of worthlessness. The teen feels this as a result that she believes running is something that she may never be able to experience again. Analyzing her situation, overcomes this problem by getting a special prosthetic leg made custom for running that her track coach raised money for. While surpassing her reaction formation phase, Jessica overcomes this problem due to she is now able to run again with her dog Sherlock. It may not be the same as before, but sure-enough, she feels as if she is running just like old times. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology kept in touch with over 800 adolescents for approximately two years. According to the studies, researchers found that physically active children had less symptoms of depression in comparison to the children who had done no psychical activity (McGinn). Running is the activity that Jessica seeks happiness in, pertaining to the study, the protagonist is a part of the section of children that has less symptoms of depression. As her ability to run escapes, depression creeps in and takes the place of happiness. Ecstatic