An analytical study of problematic marital life and its psychological effect in Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Alex Michaelides’ The Silent Patient

Abstract

It is common sense that a husband and wife would provide emotional support for each other. Obviously, too much emotional dependency could cause loss of self, fear of abandonment, and lack of boundaries. On the other hand, interdependency provides mutual support and secure attachment. In the two novels, The Silent Patient and Gone Girl, we see the importance of interdependence. Theo Faber, one of the major characters of the novel The Silent Patient, is a victim of excessive emotional dependency. He always believes that his wife is his lifesaver. Eventually, he could not let go of his wife, Kathy, after finding out about her infidelity. Moreover, Amy Dunne, the protagonist of the novel Gone Girl, is similarly obsessed with her husband. No matter what, Amy never wanted to leave her husband, even though he was cheating on her. Both the novelists, Alex Michaelides and Gillian Flynn, portray through their unique narratives how emotional dependence leads a spouse to mental devastation. However, “interdependence is the solution.” Is this a good answer? In my dissertation, through my research question, I will present whether interdependence is crucial for a healthy married life and how emotional dependence causes incurable psychological effects.