Writing and Relationship as forms of Healing

 The role that mental health and suicidal ideology have in influencing Nao’s writing and experiences in Ruth Ozeki’s “A Tale for the Time Being” is prominent and appears in all three sections of the reading.  Reading Nao’s journal entries provides insight into the ways in which her mental state continued to evolve and change with time.  In part two of the novel, Nao spends the summer with Jiko in her Buddhist temple, and becomes acquainted with various forms of prayer, outlook, and valuable insights on life.  It is clear that this summer is intended to be a pivotal time for Nao, in which she begins to grasp life’s larger meaning, and improve her mental state.  However, in the last third of the novel, it becomes increasingly evident that Nao’s mental state is not resolved after her time with Jiko, or by the time the novel ends.  Despite this recognition that Nao still suffers greatly from depression and suicidal ideology, Ozeki’s story still portrays the beauty of life, suggesting the twofold power of writing and relationship in one’s life.

 

In the final third of the novel, Nao has returned home from her summer with Jiko, and her mental state appears to deteriorate as her life at home immediately resumes.  Initially, it appears as though Nao is renewed, when she says, “But this semester I decided things were going to be different.  I was not going to let them bully me anymore or break my spirit” (Ozeki 264).  However, things quickly begin to spiral out of control as the normalcy of her life abruptly returns.  The novel parallels depictions of the September 11^th terrorist attacks with an individual attack on Nao, when her classmates harass and violate her by stealing her underwear and auctioning them off on the internet (Ozeki 276).  The back to back nature of these scenes is quite heavy, and a reminder that Nao is seemingly in a constant battle with the world.  In a strikingly similar way to her father’s leaving the house in the morning and going to the park to sit instead of admitting he wasn’t working anymore, Nao begins a new routine in which she, “left the house dressed in my school uniform and went to an Internet café, where I could change into street clothes … then I changed back into my uniform and came home for dinner” (Ozeki 279).  Despite the personal growth Nao seemed to acquire while with Jiko, the events that transpire at home force Nao to succumb to a depressive state.

 

Nao responds to the disorder of her school life and her father’s suicide attempt poorly.  In what appears to be an attempt to escape the haunting realities of her life, Nao shaves her head and comes to school one final time.  In school, she earns the attention of her classmates, describing, “I opened my mouth and a piercing cry broke from my throat like an eagle … I watched my classmates press their hands over their ears, and saw the blood run through their fingers as their eardrums shattered” (Ozeki 288).  Nao’s desperate attempt to overcome the school bullies leads her to a state of hysteria.  Soon after she leaves school, Nao’s friend Babette entices her into prostitution, a complete role reversal from her original identity as an innocent schoolgirl, still learning about the world.  Nao describes a vastly uncomfortable “date”, writing, “he opened a bottle of champagne and took off all my clothes.  We had a bath together and he got my pretty drunk” (Ozeki 299).  Ozeki’s characterization of Nao as a broken and depressed character leave readers feeling hopeless for her future.

 

Despite the many ways in which Nao’s condition worsens in the third section of the novel, Ozeki’s story still succeeds in affirming and placing value on life, amidst a clear deterioration of Nao’s mental state.  It is through the relationship that is developed between Nao and Ruth that we are able to remain hopeful for Nao and her life.  As the novel comes to a close, Nao acknowledges the ways in which writing and relationship have in many ways, salvaged her life.  She says to Ruth, “You may be only make-believe, but you are my true friend and you’ve helped me.  I really mean that” (Ozeki 385).  Although we as readers do not know how Nao’s story or life itself turns out, we are left with immense hope that through writing and a sense of comradery, her life was sustained.  Ruth writes to Nao, “Wherever you are, I know you are writing.  You couldn’t give that up.  I can see you clutching your pen.  Are you still using purple ink, or have you outgrown that?  Do you till bite your nails” (Ozeki 402)?  Ruth envisions Nao alive and prospering, writing and continuing her life.  Despite the ways in which the Nao’s depression fueled her actions, readers conclude the novel feeling hopeful that through writing to Ruth she was able to overcome these tribulations.