Reconciliation with the self through self-empathy in children’s fantasy fiction

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss how children’s fantasy fiction utilises the notion of self-empathy as a significant method for a reconciliation with the self. Children’s fantasy fiction, which often employs the concepts and theories of psychology and psychotherapy, operates as a genre suitable for the exploration of the innermost realities of the characters. Through the notion of self-empathy, this article examines fantasy’s psychological dimension and its capacity to unearth the inner world. As an inner-directed ameliorating practice, self-empathy can be applied to portray the therapeutic function of children’s fantasy fiction. An analysis of Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls (2011) shows how the practice of self-empathy can help to confront repressed feelings like fear, anger and grief, and traumatic experiences. Ness’ novel focuses on the inner turmoil of thirteen-year-old Conor O’Malley, whose mother has a terminal illness. The overwhelming weight of his mother’s illness drives him into dissociative coping strategies like intense denial and repression. Ness employs fantasy to show Conor’s gradual psychological transformation from a state of dissociation to a self-empathic presence. This article analyses the therapeutic journey of Conor to explore the function of self-empathy and its close relationship with self-directed notions like self-awareness and self-acceptance.