Carol's Reactions To Suffering In 'To Blisland'

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The dialogues in “To blisland” describes the current condition of the main character and her reactions to her suffering. The exchange between the narrator and Carol illustrates her reactions towards her illness: “‘You look better,’ I said. ‘I don’t take the pills.’ And she brought out, from her pocket, small red pills. ‘They gave them to me. I put them in my mouth, but I don’t swallow. If they find out I will be in trouble’” (Levine 155). Here it seems as if Carol does not have any motivation to be cured. She just pushes the help from the professionals away by not taking the pills. She acts as if she does not have any problem, but is actually suffering from her illness without realizing it which is the result from her not talking the medications. Her illness makes her think …show more content…

At least she hasn’t gone back’” (153). This progress is the consequence of Carol’s action, not taking the pills. This is just making her life more miserable because she must stay in the institution for a longer period of time for only making little advancements. Another conversation of the narrator and Carol emphasizes that she cannot do anything to change her situation: “‘What’s wrong love,’ I asked Carol. ‘It’s the noise,’ she said. ‘I can’t stand it’” (157). When Carol heard the song “nothing’s gonna change my world nothings gonna change my world” It is implied that Carol is having a tough time accepting her situation. Her being mentally ill and being confined in an isolated hospital in which is limiting her from freedom. She cannot accept being stuck there for the rest of her life and realizes that the only way to change this is to take the pills which is impossible for her. That is why hearing the song saddens her to the point that she becomes suicidal and tries to commit suicide by walking “towards the middle” (158) of the road. A driver also indicates her state by saying: “Do you want to get killed?” (158). This reveals Carol way of dealing things. She cannot change her

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