Mind and metaphors: reading Jerry Pinto’s Em and the Big Hoom (2012) through medical humanities

Abstract

This thesis, “Mind and Metaphors: Reading Jerry Pinto’s Em and the Big Hoom (2012) through Medical Humanities” examines the profound intricacies of mental illness through the lens of medical humanities. The introduction undertakes a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing existing scholarship on patient consent and autonomy in Indian medical discourses, the significance of home and hospital spaces in literature and medicine, and the metaphorical use of geographical dislocation to convey mental illness. Through this review, I aim to situate my analysis within the broader scholarly conversation, drawing connections between Pinto’s novel and existing academic perspectives. The exploration of patient consent and autonomy within the novel is a critical lens through which I scrutinize the characters’ agency and the ethical dimensions of medical decision-making. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of home and hospital spaces offers a unique perspective on the dichotomy between comfort and clinical detachment. This study extends beyond the literary realm to examine how these spaces reflect and shape the experiences of individuals grappling with mental illness.