Beyond Pathology: Illness Narratives in Indian English Literature

Abstract

Highly advanced technological tools and skills improved the technical progress in the field of medicine but the feelings of dissatisfaction from the treatment, distance and lack of attention from the doctor, dismissed empathy and understanding makes the treatment seem completely technical for the patient, eliminating core elements like trustworthiness, empathy and sensitivity. Because of their undisturbed focus only on the disease as well as stiffness caused by their medical training, doctors fail to listen and connect with their patient’s struggles pushing back human emotions. Illness Narratives play a huge role in humanizing the medicine, helping doctors to practice with empathy, understanding and sensitivity towards their patients, widening their narrow focus from biological disease only. Illness Narratives also reveal the evils and stigmas attached to various diseases, limitations of medical profession, cultural and familial influence as well as psychological and emotional sides. The paper will attempt to explore a memoir, Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life by Manisha Koirala and Neelam Kumar to understand the importance and significance of illness narratives in Indian context. The paper also aims to explore various practical implications of illness narratives.