Language and Imagery of Coma and Brain Injury: Representations in Literature, Film and Media

We don't know what happens within a coma, what the coma patient experiences, or how they perceive the world outside of the coma. This book examines representations of coma and brain injury across various texts and explores the common tropes and linguistic devices used to portray the medical condition, giving rise to universal mythologies and misconceptions in the public domain. It also discusses the potential impact of these stories on our understanding of coma and its victims.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 226 pages
\n Publication date: 20 May 2021
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Coma is a mysterious and enigmatic medical condition that has captivated the human imagination for centuries. Despite the vast amount of literature and media that have been produced on the subject, we still have a limited understanding of what occurs within a coma and the experiences of coma patients. In this book, Matthew Colbeck examines the representations of coma and brain injury across a wide range of texts, including novels, films, and television shows. He explores common tropes and linguistic devices used to portray coma, and how these representations give rise to universal mythologies and misconceptions in the public domain.

Colbeck begins by examining how texts represent long-term brain injury, drawing on narratives of coma survivors that have been produced and curated through writing groups he has run over the last ten years. He discusses a diverse range of cultural works, including novels by Irvine Welsh, Stephen King, Tom McCarthy, and Douglas Coupland, as well as film and media texts such as The Sopranos, Kill Bill, Coma, and The Walking Dead. Through his analysis, Colbeck provides an explanation for our fascination with coma, and explores the potential impact that misleading stories of survival in the media and in literature have upon our own understanding of coma and its victims.

One of the key themes that Colbeck explores is the concept of consciousness and the mind-body relationship. He argues that coma is often portrayed as a state of suspended animation, where the patient is essentially unconscious and unaware of their surroundings. However, Colbeck suggests that this portrayal is not entirely accurate, and that coma patients can have varying levels of consciousness and awareness. Some patients may be able to perceive their surroundings, while others may be completely unaware of their environment.

Colbeck also examines the emotional and psychological effects of coma on patients and their families. He discusses the trauma that coma survivors experience, as well as the challenges that they face in their recovery. He notes that coma can be a lonely and isolating experience, as patients are unable to communicate with their loved ones or the outside world. Colbeck also explores the role of technology in the treatment of coma, including the use of artificial ventilation and other medical devices to support patients' vital functions.

Another important theme that Colbeck explores is the concept of hope and resilience. He argues that coma survivors can exhibit incredible strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and that their stories can inspire others to persevere in the face of their own challenges. Colbeck provides examples of coma survivors who have overcome incredible odds and returned to their lives, and he discusses the role that support networks and rehabilitation programs can play in their recovery.

In conclusion, Coma is a fascinating and complex medical condition that has been portrayed in a wide range of literary and media texts. Through his analysis, Matthew Colbeck provides a deeper understanding of what occurs within a coma and the experiences of coma patients. He challenges common misconceptions and mythologies about coma, and explores the potential impact that these representations have upon our own understanding of coma and its victims. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of medical humanities, and will be of interest to anyone who is interested in the human experience of coma and brain injury.

\n Weight: 502g\n
Dimension: 241 x 163 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781350077799\n \n