'Compulsion' By Heidi Ayarbe: Literary Analysis

In recent years many novels have been published to highlight the hardships and harsh reality of those suffering from mental disorders. While our knowledge on this issue has increased vastly, strong connections can be draw between classic and modern literature in regards to characters who suffer from these disorders. The novel “Compulsion” by Heidi Ayarbe, tells the story of a teenage boy with severe OCD. This novel authenticates the many sickening facets of OCD, and sheds a realistic and much needed light on what it is actually like to suffer from a mental illness. In a similar vein, the tragic play, “Hamlet”, shows how illness can be bred from traumatic events, and how it can lead to pain and loss for not only those suffering from an illness,

but also those involved in their lives.

In the novel “Compulsion” the main character, Jake, suffers from severe OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), which causes him to develop a strong fixation with numerical values. He creates a repertoire of what numbers he considers “lucky” and “unlucky”, leading him to believe that observing certain number throughout his day will nullify any qualms about his future. Throughout the novel he discovers that this is not necessarily true; as life, unlike his mind, does not always follow an algorithm. Jake begins to feel he has no control of his thoughts or feelings as his obsession with numbers increases. “ Six twenty-two. Six plus two i eight plus two is ten divided by two is five. OK. It works. But something about it bugs me, so I stare at the clock counting the seconds to 6:23” (Ayarbe 38) Obsessions or compulsions with seemingly mundane things are incredibly common for those who suffer from OCD “Compulsions are repetitive behaviors used to escape obsessive thoughts. Washing and cleaning, checking, repeating activities and mental compulsions such as excessive praying or counting are common compulsions.” (Esposito) Jake’s numerical obsession is often referred to as “magical thinking” as he believes that certain numbers are boones for him. Jake is never cured of his obsessions; many researchers believe it is almost impossible to completely eradicate one of compulsive tendencies due to the way people rely on them and doubt the possibility of them being false. “Those who suffer from magical obsessions have a great need for control in the face of their extraordinary and unusual fears, but they quickly come to realize that ordinary types of protective measures cannot help them. Their doubt is so overwhelming that the normal means of control simply don't apply in their magical obsessive world. The most logical or scientific thinking usually cannot give them explanations or reassurance” (Penzel) Jake is convicted by the belief that numbers will make things okay, “Six fourty-five. Six plus four is ten plus five is fifteen minus four is eleven. OK. Good enough” (Ayarbe 43)

Similarly to Jake, Hamlet suffers from paranoia that sedates his sanity.

after meeting his father’s ghost, and learning of his horrific death incited by his uncle, Hamlet becomes both enraged and delusional by both his uncle and his mother betrayal of his father. Hamlet’s paranoia is most evident when he kills Polonius; Hamlet was under the impression that his uncle was spying on him and his mother, out of rage and delusion he decides to kill him before he even realizes who it was. “What’s this, a rat? I’ll bet a buck he’s a dead rat now. (he stabs his sword through the tapestry and kills Polonius)” This flagrant behavior can most closely be related to the symptoms of psychotic depression. “Psychotic depression patients typically display anhedonia (cannot experience pleasure), psychomotor retardation, loss of interest, poor concentration, delusions of guilt, disease, and feelings of impending disaster or worthlessness. Apart from the psychotic features, PD has a distinct symptomatology that sets it apart from non-PD cases, which involves rumination, psychomotor disturbances in the form of agitation or retardation, insomnia, perplexity and cognitive dysfunction.” (Rattue). By act three of the play it is revealed that the visions Hamlet has of his father’s ghost are merely lucid visions created out of his own imagination. He claims to see the ghost, yet his mother cannot see it; “...Look, he’s going out the door right now!” “This is only a figment of your imagination. Madness is good at creating hallucinations.” The ghost of Hamlet’s father is not only merely a figment of his imagination, but also is the driving force behind Hamlet seeking revenge on Claudius. Research has shown that psychotic depression often causes people to experience delusions that push them towards certain actions.”The delusions or hallucinations of people who have psychotic depression often involve beliefs, voices, or visions telling them that they are worthless or evil. In some cases, people

may hear voices telling them to harm themselves.”

In conclusion, both Hamlet and Jake’s experiences stem greatly from their own respective psychological conditions. Both of them often feel paranoid and convinced that there are greater forces determining their fates. These characters are both victims of their fatal flaws, which lies within their minds.