Universität zu Köln

Riem, Philine and Karenberg, Axel (2015). MS in prose, poems and drama. Mult. Scler. J., 21 (10). S. 1298 - 1312. LONDON: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD. ISSN 1477-0970

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Abstract

Background and objective: Presentations of MS in fictional literature have not been previously researched. This paper surveys and analyses these portrayals of the disease for the first time. Material and methods: Relevant works in English and German were identified by means of keyword searches in online public access catalogues and search engines as well as old-fashioned research. The neurological and literary evaluation of these 7000 pages of text combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: Between 1954 and 2012 at least 55 literary works appeared with an MS motif (35 novels, 18 poems, one novella and one drama). The authors were predominantly female and a third of them suffered from the disease. Patients in the novels largely reflect real epidemiology as regards symptoms and disease progression, while diagnostic and therapeutic options play a secondary role. From a literary point of view, entwicklungsromane', relationship novels' and young adult books' can be discerned. MS is often portrayed in metaphoric language as the enemy: a demon, an animalistic being, prison or an abyss. Conclusion: The MS motif evidences a medicalization of the literature as well as a literary portrayal of anthropological experiences. Well-written novels can contribute to the de-stigmatization of MS and impart basic medical knowledge.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Riem, Philine UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Karenberg, Axel UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-394540
DOI:	10.1177/1352458514560929
Journal or Publication Title:	Mult. Scler. J.
Volume:	21
Number:	10
Page Range:	S. 1298 - 1312
Date:	2015
Publisher:	SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Place of Publication:	LONDON
ISSN:	1477-0970
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS Multiple languages Clinical Neurology; Neurosciences Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/39454