Reframing Cancer Narratives as Narratives of Regeneration

Abstract

Stories are uniquely shaped by narrative techniques specific to their cultural context. Narratives reflect the traditions, ethnicities, and personal preferences of the cultures from which they originate. Arthur W. Frank states that recognising illness narratives “encourages closer attention to the stories ill persons tell; ultimately, to better listen to the ill” (76), and classifies these narratives into three types: Restitution, Chaos, and Quest. Narration is intricate because “Illness stories blend and intertwine various narrative elements” (Frank 76). Authentic storytelling integrates all these patterns, with each influencing the others. In Illness Narratives, it is believed that “all three narrative types are told, alternately and repeatedly” (Frank 76). Cancer narratives often begin in a chaotic state, later transcending to a healing stage, inspiring hope and ultimately urging a fresh perspective on life, with a desire to acquire new aspirations from traumatic experiences that transcend pathos. The study traces the trajectory of illness narratives. It demonstrates that although the initial stage may appear chaotic, it gradually reveals opportunities for recovery and overcoming hardships, culminating in the transformation and revitalisation of life by the conclusion. The primary texts driving this study include illness narratives such as Manisha Koirala’s (with Neelam Kumar) "Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life" (2018), Dying to Be Me (2012) by Anita Moorjani, "Close to the Bone" (2019) written by Lisa Ray, and Neelam Kumar’s "To Cancer with Love: My Journey of Life" (2015). These are reviewed to support the study's arguments. Arthur W. Frank’s "The Wounded Storyteller" (1997) serves as the theoretical framework.