Hey guys! I’ll be putting a twist on my 3rd post because what I’m writing is more of a personal essay than a fictional story with a clear plot line. Instead of studying how my story applies to a standard narrative (which would be difficult, because it doesn’t) I’ll be researching some symbolism instead, which is a huge part of what I’m writing.
Research topic: How can the themes of ambiguous grief, familial distance, and natural symbolism (wind) be authentically portrayed in a story about losing a grandfather to cancer?
Research notes:
1. Ambiguous grief
Ambiguous grief occurs when loss lacks closure, like when relationships are strained or unresolved (Boss, 1999). This aligns with my conflicted emotions toward a grandfather who was fundamentally a “stranger.” This highlights my internal struggle – mourning the idea of a relationship rather than the reality.
2. Symbolism of wind
In literature, wind often symbolizes change, impermanence, or the unseen forces of life (Eco, 1984). Shakespeare’s quote “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May” mirrors the protagonist’s fragile connection to their mother (May) and grandfather. This means I should use wind motifs during transitions to symbolize impermanence.
3. Cultural rituals and grief
Beijing’s temple rituals (burning joss paper) reflect Confucian filial piety and mourning (Watson, 1988). Sensory details can ground the story when it comes to authenticity.
4. Cancer
Research shows familial cancer stories often focus on “unfinished business” (Sontag, 1978). The phone call scene could emphasize the shock of diagnosis as a disruption. It would be nice to use sparse, clinical language for the phone call to mirror emotional numbness.
5. Stages of grief
Kübler-Ross’s model (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) is often nonlinear (Kübler-Ross, 1969). The protagonist’s journey may skip stages, reflecting ambiguous loss.
Next steps:
– Research train travel as metaphor for emotional journeys (e.g., motion vs. stagnation).
– Explore minimalist writing techniques to convey grief without melodrama.
References:
1. Boss, P. (1999). Ambiguous Loss. Harvard University Press.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674003811
2. Eco, U. (1984). The Role of the Reader. Indiana University Press.
3. Watson, J. L. (1988). Funeral Rituals in Imperial China. Oxford University Press.
https://content.ucpress.edu/title/9780520071292/9780520071292_watson_chapter_one.pdf
4. Sontag, S. (1978). Illness as Metaphor. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
https://monoskop.org/images/4/4a/Susan_Sontag_Illness_As_Metaphor_1978.pdf
5. Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying. Macmillan.
