Citation

Pavlides M. J. Disability Policy Studies 2005; 16(1): 46-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Hammill Institute on Disabilities, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10442073050160010701

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this aricle is to examine four contemporary American films - Whose Life Is It Anyway?; 'Night, Mother; One True Thing; and The Hours - that depict suicides of individuals with disability or illness, in an attempt to articulate how these images reflect, and influence, social perceptions of the worth of life in such circumstances. These films will be examined in light of dramatic structure, character depictions, and thematic intent. This review confirms the hypothesis that such films underscore our cultural tendency to view disability and illness as an experience that demands release rather than support.

Language: en