Depiction of intellectual disability in fiction

Abstract

I explore some of the ways in which intellectual disability (learning disability) is depicted in fiction. My premise is that literature both reflects and shapes societal attitudes to people in this vulnerable minority group. People with intellectual disabilities are seldom able to determine, confirm or counter narratives about themselves. This situation, in which the subject is fundamentally unable to participate in their representation, raises unique ethical considerations. I use examples from various English-language novels to discuss how subjective accounts, observable behaviours and physical attributes are all employed to characterise people with intellectual disabilities.Anupama Iyer is a specialist registrar in child psychiatry and learning disabilities at the Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital (Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK. Email: nikanu@lycos.co.uk). Her research interests include autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and behavioural phenotypes.1. Works of literature are referenced to the date of first publication. The reference list shows the reprint from which quotations are taken.

Dickens’ characters on the couch: an example of teaching psychiatry using literature

“…The title character in Barnaby Rudge has diminished intellect76 and has been diagnosed as suffering from autism77 in that he exhibits numerous autistic traits including impaired socialisation, communication and irrational fears:…”

Disability representation in selected Zimbabwean Chishona novels and plays.

“…On global literature and disability, this section discusses the views of Garland-Thomson (1997), Vidali, (2010), Boylan, (1991) Adomat (2014, Rubin and Watson (1987), Biklen and Bogdan (1977), Moore (1984), Banik (2016), Lyer (2007), Kench (2014), DePoy and Gilson (2008), , Filat (2011), and Eiesland (1994) Garland-Thomson (1997) in her book, Extraordinary Bodies says while the book interrogates the manner in which representation attaches meaning to bodies, her aim was to:…”

“…The significance of Banik's study in relation to the current research is that the study insinuates that disability is an issue that needs attention hence the need to carry out this study. Another author who looked at the depiction of disability in western literature is Lyer (2007). Lyer (2007) discusses the depiction of intellectual disability in fictional literature and notes that first-person narratives are quite rare because very few people have the first-hand experience of knowing or living with persons with intellectual disabilities.…”

“…Another author who looked at the depiction of disability in western literature is Lyer (2007). Lyer (2007) discusses the depiction of intellectual disability in fictional literature and notes that first-person narratives are quite rare because very few people have the first-hand experience of knowing or living with persons with intellectual disabilities. Despite this, most people hold an ambiguous image of what a person with an intellectual disability looks like resulting in part, from how they are depicted in fiction and the media.…”

“…Characters in a text will always have different experiences and backgrounds from that of the writer. Lyer (2007) and Kench (2014)'s works are important in that they provide insights into the complex nature of writing about characters with mental disabilities and other forms of disability. Thus, there is a need to approach texts cautiously considering that authors who have disabilities or not, when writing about characters with disabilities rely on assumed knowledge and how they are depicted in fiction and the media for they do not have first-hand experience with regards to mental disability and other forms of disability.…”