Sofiya B
Reg. No: 2421311022017
Research Scholar of English,
Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam
Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.

 

Dr. T. Subitha
Associate Professor and Research Supervisor,
Department of English,
Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam
Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.

Abstract

Society plays a vital role in the growth as well as the destruction of an individual in many ways. People around the world have their own unique ideas and views regarding each and every concept. Likewise, disability is usually portrayed as a deficit of an individual, something other than normal. Neurosis often deals with the mental and emotional disturbances of an individual.

Society constructs certain patterns through which people with disability and neurosis are often secluded from others. They should instead be included within a social framework where they are treated as unique beings, rather than being labelled as not ‘normal’. Such societal frames and taboos should be eradicated to improve the living conditions, emotional well-being, and physical health of people with such disorders. This kind of societal frame leads to the social seclusion of an individual and adversely affects their mental and physical health, resulting in a loss of self-confidence and hope.

Thus, society and health are closely interlinked with one another in providing better living conditions for people. The paper titled “Societal Frames of Disability and Neurosis in the Select Novels of Lisa Genova” highlights how societal frames and social lenses cause people with disability and neurosis to face challenges of social seclusion, emotional trauma, and physical deformities throughout their lives, and how these conditions can be overcome by individuals.

The paper aims to study the societal frames of disability and neurosis through selected novels by Lisa Genova, an American neuroscientist and author. The novels selected for study are Still Alice and Love Anthony.

Introduction

“Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.”

— Plato

As Plato aptly states, the beauty of a thing is largely evaluated based on the opinions or perspectives of others. It varies according to a person’s view. Likewise, disability is a social construct. The term ‘disability’ deals with the physical deformity or mental decline of an individual diagnosed with a disorder. Disability is a word created to denote the medical term “impairment”. Impairment is a person’s attribute rather than a social construct.

The use of the term disability fosters various restrictions on people with certain disorders. It leads them to develop a sort of inferiority complex and causes individuals to seclude themselves from society. Such societal frames should be completely eradicated for the welfare of individuals and to support their mental health.

As individuals, we should emphasise empathy towards people with impairments by placing ourselves in their position rather than merely expressing sympathy. Being sympathetic towards those with impairments often pushes them towards social seclusion and stress. It leads to emotional trauma and affects an individual’s psyche as society consolidates them into a separate frame labelled ‘disabled’.

As a result, they tend to lose trust, confidence, and faith in themselves and slowly lose hope regarding their mental and physical well-being. They begin to develop stress and anxiety about their future without finding possible solutions to face the struggles and challenges of life. It is the duty of each and every individual to cultivate empathy towards affected people so that everyone can understand their real pain, which in turn will help them build faith, courage, and the strength to survive.

Lisa Genova, an American neuroscientist turned author, has written six neuro-novels. Each of her novels portrays the lives of people affected by certain neurological disorders and how they struggle to manage their lives and overcome various challenges. Her writings encourage readers to develop empathy towards affected people and also create awareness about rare neurological disorders.

The novels selected for the study titled “Societal Frames of Disability and Neurosis in the Select Novels of Lisa Genova” are Still Alice and Love Anthony. These novels depict the destruction experienced by the characters Alice Howland and Anthony due to various societal stigmas and frames imposed upon them in terms of their impairments.

The term “neurosis” refers to a person’s impaired ability to answer or respond to social and environmental situations. Neurosis is an outdated term that indicates the stress, anxiety, and depression created due to a disorder or impairment. Society creates barriers for people with impairments. They are not allowed to work in a sector on equal terms with other people whom society considers ‘normal’. People with impairments are treated as unique beings who exist outside socially defined norms.

Societal Frames of Disability in Still Alice

The central character Alice Howland, from the novel Still Alice, faces this situation in her workplace. She worked as a linguistic professor at Harvard University. After learning about her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, the department head, Eric, asked her to stop visiting Harvard and take a sabbatical year ahead:

“I think you probably shouldn’t be teaching anymore, but I’d like to respect your time line. Do you have a plan?”

“I’d hoped to stay on for the year… I don’t want to be a bad teacher, Eric. That’s not who I am.”

“…How about a medical leave that would take you into your sabbatical year?” (Genova, Still Alice 204–205)

Alice, being passionate about her job, attempted several ways to tackle her situation after diagnosis. She tried to recall things by adopting certain tactics and tricks, usually by maintaining a personalised file on her laptop and setting reminders on her mobile phone. Even though she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, she remained confident in her ‘self’ and believed that she could survive with the disorder.

However, societal frames altered everything. She started developing fear regarding her identity and often reflected upon Dr. Davis’ words: “You may not be the most reliable source of what’s been going on.” (Genova, Still Alice 83)

Even before her colleagues knew about her condition, Alice often thought about the aftermath. She did not want anyone to hate or seclude her, and she did not want to be treated with sympathy. She often contemplated leaving Harvard before someone pointed out her disorder. However, her fear of losing her identity made her stay.

“She wanted to leave Harvard before then, before the gossip and pity, but had no way of even guessing when that would be.” (Genova, Still Alice 108)

Alice was secluded by her colleagues during meetings. No one greeted or acknowledged her. People tried to avoid her, which eventually contributed to her emotional distress. Her fear intensified with the realisation that the disease could lead her to forget even her own family members.

Even her family started to distance themselves from her. They used to talk in front of her as if she were not present. These events created fear in her mind and contributed to her experience of emotional distress. Impaired functioning and emotional distress are presented as key characteristics of neurosis in the paper. These characteristics are often found in Alice Howland.

She frequently felt alienated in her own home. She was excluded from family conversations and treated as ‘disabled’. Her physical movement was also restricted, as she was not allowed to go outside her home alone.

Social Seclusion in Love Anthony

The character Anthony in the novel Love Anthony also faced similar situations. After being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anthony stopped receiving invitations to his friends’ birthday parties, and even his own birthdays were celebrated within the confines of his home.

This illustrates how social seclusion is associated with emotional distress, which is seen in Anthony’s stubborn behaviour and his adherence to fixed rules and patterns that others consider abnormal.

His ‘Always Rule’ makes him create his own world of fabricated realities and compels him to live alone within that circle. When Olivia, Anthony’s mother, took him home from the seashore by a different route, his mind struggled to process the change. He became distressed and began to scream, believing he was being taken somewhere else.

“We ALWAYS go HOME after the playground, and this way does not match the map in my head that shows the way home.” (Genova, Love Anthony 182)

His ‘Always Rule’ contributed to his distress and separation from others.

Models of Disability and Their Social Impact

According to the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), there are four key models of disability: the Charity Model, the Medical Model, the Social Model, and the Rights-Based Model.

These models demonstrate how social perspectives influence the lives of people with impairments and how society and the people around them can make them feel alienated and disoriented. Even though these models aim to provide assistance to people with impairments, the ways in which support is offered can sometimes create additional distress. It can increase stress and emotional pain while diminishing self-esteem.

The Charity Model of Disability

According to the Charity Model of Disability, people with impairments are treated as victims and objects of pity. They are portrayed as constantly needing care because they are considered incapable of handling situations independently.

This model illustrates how people differentiate and isolate individuals by showing sympathy rather than empathy. This can be witnessed in the lives of both Alice Howland and Anthony.

The sympathy and pity shown to them contribute to their social isolation and lead them to seek the company of loneliness. In certain instances, they find happiness and comfort in being alone. This is evident in Anthony’s life:

“To be alone. That’s what gives him joy.” (Genova, Love Anthony 175)

The Medical Model of Disability

The Medical Model of Disability portrays the individual as a victim of impairment. It often emphasises treatments and therapies, which can sometimes cause feelings of despair. At a certain point, individuals may begin to develop feelings of regression and aversion.

The assistance provided by medical professionals, therapists, and caregivers can sometimes make people feel isolated and encourage them to view themselves as victims. This can emotionally and psychologically disturb their day-to-day activities and mental health.

This is evident in Anthony’s life, as he expresses his dislike of therapies and treatments. He does not like therapists visiting his home and suggesting medications to him.

“I wish I could tell them that my brain isn’t broken so they could stop crying and fighting and people could stop coming to my house to fix me. They make me tired.” (Genova, Love Anthony 133)

Alice Howland also experiences exhaustion after taking numerous medications. She develops resentment towards excessive medication and treatment because these efforts appear ineffective.

“She took Aricept, Namenda, the mystery Amylix trial pill, Liputor, vitamins C and E, and baby aspirin…. Yet none of these efforts seemed to add up to visible, measurable results.” (Genova, Still Alice 186–187)

The Medical Model of Disability presents impairment as a form of ‘deficit’.

The Social Model of Disability

The Social Model of Disability explains how people may be disabled not only by their impairments but also by societal and environmental frameworks. It highlights how people are made to feel different and are viewed through a peculiar social lens.

People often assume that only those with physical deformities or impairments are disabled. They do not consider how their own thoughts and attitudes may create barriers for others.

The term ‘disability’ should not be used only to address a person’s physical or mental health. People whose thoughts and behaviours create discriminatory attitudes should also reflect on the barriers they impose on others. In this sense, everyone may experience limitations in particular circumstances throughout life.

Such patterns of language, thought, and social framing must be challenged. Everyone should be treated equally as a human being and nothing less.

Even when Alice was secluded by her colleagues, she continued to struggle internally. Her profession was driven purely by her passion. She greatly valued and respected her intellect, but following her diagnosis, the intellect once celebrated by others became a subject of doubt.

“She felt bored, ignored, and alienated in her office. She felt ridiculous there. She didn’t belong there anymore. In all the expansive grandeur that was Harvard, there wasn’t room there for a cognitive psychology professor with a broken cognitive psyche.” (Genova, Still Alice 222)

Her neighbours, who had once greeted her warmly, now looked at her with fear. On one occasion, Alice unknowingly entered her neighbour’s kitchen after returning from her office. Even after seeing the utensils and their arrangement, she failed to realise that it was not her kitchen. She started preparing tea, and the kitchen became disordered. Suddenly, the owner of the house arrived and shouted at her. The incident captures Alice’s vulnerability and confusion, as well as her neighbour’s fear.

“Alice, what are you doing?”

“Oh, Lauren, you scared me.”

“I’m sorry, would you like to sit down? I was about to make some tea.”

“Alice, this isn’t your kitchen.”

“Oh, Lauren, look what I did to your kitchen. I’ll help you put everything back.”

Alice tried to read Lauren’s face. She looked baffled and scared.

“I have Alzheimer’s disease.” (Genova, Still Alice 218–219)

Even at her office, during a seminar, no one was ready to sit near Alice. The seats at her table remained unoccupied, while people preferred to stand at the back of the gathering.

“Facing her meant facing her mental frailty… Facing her was scary. So for the most part, except for meetings and seminars, they didn’t.” (Genova, Still Alice 207)

These incidents demonstrate how societal and environmental frameworks affect an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

The Rights-Based Model of Disability

The Rights-Based Model of Disability maintains that everyone is equal and that no one should be discriminated against because of an impairment. People with impairments should be given equal opportunities in employment and various social activities.

This model explores support systems provided by the government as well as caregivers. The government provides recognition and systematic protection for people with impairments. The model promotes their human rights, including access to education and equal employment opportunities.

It emphasises justice, equality, and full participation in society.

The Need for an Inclusive Society

Although the models of disability provide various forms of assistance and support to people with impairments, they can also create certain barriers.

The Charity Model offers care and support through caregivers and family members. However, care and support alone may not help individuals believe in their own abilities. Instead, they may feel ‘disabled’ and dependent, unable to handle situations independently.

Through the Medical Model, doctors, physicians, and therapists provide treatments and therapies. However, these interventions may sometimes increase stress. They can make individuals focus more on their impairments and develop feelings of inferiority.

The Social Model highlights the social and environmental barriers that restrict people from doing what they wish. These barriers may create separate circles for people with impairments and limit their participation in society. Although these models aim to promote welfare, the ways in which they are implemented may sometimes contribute to additional stress and emotional trauma.

The Rights-Based Model provides the foundation for equality, justice, and participation. It should be incorporated more widely and given greater importance.

The support provided to people with impairments should address both their physical and emotional needs. However, the Charity, Medical, and Social Models, as discussed in this paper, may place greater emphasis on physical health while neglecting emotional well-being.

Every model should aim to provide balanced support that promotes both physical and mental health. This can be achieved by motivating individuals to engage in activities, removing barriers to movement, providing appropriate therapeutic support, encouraging participation in social events, maintaining equal pay in workplaces, and ensuring equal opportunities in educational institutions and employment sectors.

Conclusion

Societal attitudes and social frameworks play a significant role in shaping the experiences of people with disabilities and neurological conditions. Through the lives of Alice Howland in Still Alice and Anthony in Love Anthony, Lisa Genova illustrates how stigma, social exclusion, fear, and a lack of understanding can affect individuals and their relationships with others.

The experiences of Alice and Anthony demonstrate the importance of empathy, acceptance, and inclusion. Rather than treating people with impairments as objects of pity or viewing them solely through a medical perspective, society should recognise their dignity, individuality, and rights.

The Rights-Based Model offers an important foundation for promoting equality, justice, and full participation. Support systems should address not only physical needs but also emotional well-being, independence, and social inclusion.

Creating an inclusive society requires removing discriminatory attitudes, providing equal opportunities, and encouraging people with disabilities to participate fully in education, employment, and community life. By developing empathy and challenging restrictive societal frames, individuals and communities can contribute to better living conditions and a more respectful society.

Works Cited

Primary Sources

Genova, Lisa. Love Anthony. Gallery Books, 2013.

———. Still Alice. Simon and Schuster UK Ltd, 2015.

Secondary Sources

ION Neurodiversity. “Models of Disability.” https://ioneurodiversity.org/wp-content/uploads/4-Models-of-Disability.pdf. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Plato, Goodreads. “Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder.” https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/346491-beauty-lies-in-the-eyes-of-the-beholder. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.