The Role of Mental Illness in We the Animals by Justin Torres (2011)

The Role of Mental Illness in We the Animals by Justin Torres (2011)

Expanding the Roles:
We the Animals by Justin Torres is a coming-of-age story that follows three brothers growing up in a tumultuous household. The novel explores the impact of mental illness, abuse, and family dysfunction, as well as the narrator’s struggle with his own identity. For literature students, this novel offers a raw and poetic depiction of childhood trauma and the search for self-understanding.

• Mental Illness and Its Effects on Family Dynamics:
  Mental illness plays a significant role in the lives of the characters, particularly within their family dynamic. Students can explore how Torres portrays the psychological impact of growing up in an environment marked by instability and emotional distress.

• Identity and the Search for Self:
  As the narrator grapples with his own identity, including his emerging sexuality, students can analyze how We the Animals depicts the complexities of coming-of-age in a family where mental illness and emotional scars shape the individual experience.

What We Learn:
Through We the Animals, students can learn how literature explores mental illness, trauma, and family dysfunction in a sensitive and poetic way. The novel serves as a poignant exploration of the complexities of identity and the emotional scars that shape our lives.