Book chapter
challenges faced by informal caregivers
The Picture of Health
09 Jun 2011
Abstract
This chapter discusses the challenges faced by informal caregivers as seen in the film The Hours (2002). The film follows a day in the life of three women united by the thread of Virginia Woolf's stream-of-consciousness novel Mrs. Dalloway. The chapter focuses on a scene between Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep) and her gay friend Richard (Ed Harris) who is living with AIDS. Clarissa is preparing a celebratory party for Richard, a writer and poet, who is about to receive a major literary prize for his body of work. It is argued that The Hours is particularly instructive on the issue of imputed dignity. Richard is shamed by his predicament and Clarissa's enduring attention; feels unworthy of the literary award that he fears is being made out of sympathy for his illness rather than the quality of his work; and is physically or mentally incapable of attending the awards ceremony or party. Clarissa compounds his loss of dignity by denying the authenticity of his experience and rejecting his pleas to be heard. The film also encourages discussions on issues such as quantity versus quality of life, the right to die, and overall end-of-life care.
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Details
- Title
- challenges faced by informal caregivers
- Creators
- david h floodrhonda l soricelli
- Publication Details
- The Picture of Health
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press; New York
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84938575303
- Other Identifier
- 991019173635104721