Illnesses are a part of all living organisms, which cause physical pains and some unexpected losses. Mostly, the patient and their significant others, such as the family members and friends, have to modify their previous roles and behaviors to deal with the challenges brought by the disease. The societal and personal expectations of health status often influence how an individual responds to their present health situation. The objective of this paper is to compare the portrayal of illness as presented in Dunning Norman’s short story Elipsee and Lorde, Audre’s biography The Cancer Journals. In as much as both authors share experiences with breast cancer, their perspectives are influenced by cultural and personal beliefs, which, in turn, affect how they manage their predicament.
The conceptualization of breast cancer is different as influenced by individual beliefs. In her biography, Lorde is convinced that there are certain lifestyle causes of the disease. She wonders if there was a way that she could have prevented cancer and if she can do something to prevent its recurrence (Lorde 57). Later in the text, she mentions that her scar from mastectomy is a reminder that she may have been a victim of radiation, air pollution, animal fat, red dye, or hamburgers (Lorde 61). She appears to be informed about the predisposing factors of breast cancer. With this knowledge, she can make some lifestyle changes so as to enhance her health and quality of life.
Conversely, knowledge of possible causes of the disease for Elipsee is different and mostly based on superstitions. Elipsee and her husband are clueless about the possible reason for the illness. The narrator states, “We’d stopped eating caribou for a month. We stopped sleeping in the same bed. We stopped kissing. We stopped holding hands-on full moons” (Dunning 8). In addition, Elipsee thinks she may have offended the spirits without even realizing it, and this can be a reason why she is suffering (Dunning 16). All these activities were perceived as possible cures for cancer. Ironically, Elipsee still insisted on smoking “weed stuff,” yet, it could be the medical cause of breast cancer (Dunning 22). Elipsee conceptualizes breast cancer superstitiously and has no regard for the doctors.
Next, Lorde feels that she is not a lesser woman just because of the mastectomy. Hence, her focus is not on the disease or the changes that it has made in her physical body. For instance, “my primary concerns two days after mastectomy were hardly about what man I could capture” (Lorde 57). She had fewer concerns about what a man thought of her not having one breast. Furthermore, she was comfortable walking without wearing a lambswool or silicone gel. Her healthcare providers are concerned, but she is comfortable with her appearance.
Contrarily, Elipsee is overwhelmed by her current situation and worries about what her husband thinks. At one point, she says, “Jo, I’m sorry I got sick” (Dunning 6). Her sentiments indicate that she blames herself for cancer and that she perceives that it will affect how her husband perceives her. Worse still, the narrator explains that since Elipsee’s diagnosis, the couple always started their day talking about the disease (Dunning 27). The woman was obviously overwhelmed by the condition, so she could not think of anything else. She changed her lifestyle, and her primary motivation was to discover the cause of the disease and cure.
Notably, during illness, having a strong support system is important, but Lorde appears not to have any. She writes that she “knew there were very few role models around in this situation” (Lorde 57). It was a difficult period that she was going through, but her encouragement was mostly intrinsic. For example, she was going to clinics alone, and even her nurses and support from cancer organizations were not able to understand her needs. Thus, in as much as being surrounded by family and friends when managing cancer is good in individualistic cultures, people such as Lorde can go through hardship alone and still manage to overcome it.
The situation with Elipsee was different in that she had strong support from her family, especially her husband. The narrator explains how his life changed when Elipsee became sick with cancer. He did everything that he was asked to do as Elipsee explored the options that she had to receive her healing. The couple even traveled together to the far North to seek the cure. The narrator explains, “The grandpas nod. We each turn our eyes towards the fire. Moments of silence pass. Elipsee and I are waiting” (Lorde 31). During the spiritual encounters with the ancestors, the narrator continues to stay with her and awaits responses from the supernatural. The presence of the narrator makes the burden of Elipsee’s disease appear that it was shared equally, which is often the case in communist traditions.
On the one hand, Lorde sees herself as a warrior, having fought and endured the treatment and mastectomy. In her biography, she states, “I have been to war, and still am” (Lorde 61). Her experience and scars are honorable; hence, she is not ready to hide them and play the victim. Lorde is an inspiration and advocates for women; especially, those who have survived breast cancer. For example, she writes that if females who have gone through the mastectomy do not hide their scars, the fashion industry will be able to design their clothes.
On the other hand, Elipsee acted more as a victim of breast cancer disease as opposed to a victor. Her actions of going to the extreme to seek for solution for her disease are motivated by worry. While walking with his wife, the narrator states that on that day, his heart is happy and adds that he wished the same for Elipsee (Dunning 25). His expressions show that his wife was never delighted due to the disease. Elipsee continues with the anxiety until one day when the ancestors come and tell her, “Stop the struggle” (Dunning 31). Culturally, the ancestors are spirits that offer solutions; hence, their words can be trusted. When Elipsee finally stops victimizing and sympathizes with her situation, she dies and is finally at peace.
Conclusively, the portrayal of breast cancer is different as influenced by personal beliefs and cultures. In the case of Lorde, she understood the disease as a medical condition that can be prevented through lifestyle changes, while Elipsee perceived her condition to be a result of harming the spirits. Lorde is also confident in her womanhood despite the mastectomy, unlike Elise, who loses her self-confidence. As a result, Lorde is able to face the future with optimism while Elipsee remains sad throughout her ailing period. There is also a difference in perception as Lorde believes she is a warrior and Elipsee that she is a victim. The diagnosis for the two women is the same, but it changes their lives in different ways.
Works Cited
Dunning, Norma. “Elipsee.” Annie Muktuk and Other Stories, University of Alberta Press, 2017.
Lorde, Audre. The Cancer Journals. Lute Books, 1997.