It's Kind Of a Funny Story
DEPRESSION
Depression is the most prevelant theme in It's Kind of a Funy Story. This is because the author had personal experience with the illness, so he was very aware of it. This novel shows how prevelant depression is among teens and how easy it is to become depressed. All the characters in this novel become depressed because of pressure and expectation that others put on them. Like Craig, many teens do not know how to deal with stress in their lives and turn to drugs and/or alcohol as a means of coping with stress. Others, like Noelle, harm themselves as a way to deal with stress. However, none of these methods are effective because they do not remove the stress wich causes depression.
Relationships
Craig has many relationships which greatly influence him. However, not all of Craig's relationships have a positive influence on him. For example, Craig's relationship with Aaron and Nia has a bad influence on him; it is because of this relationship that Craig starts using pot and begins to drink. In contrast, every relationship which Craig forms while at the hospital influences him positively and helps him get over his depression.
Societal Pressures on Teenagers
This novel greatly stresses the influence that society has on teens and how much stress this places on teens. The stress that Craig feels because of societal pressures is the main cause of his depression. Academic presssures in specific affect teens the most because thay are told that if they do not preform well they will not get a good job, and therefore not have a good life. There is too much pressure on teens to have their lives figured out at a very early age, and to focus all of their attention on school and grades.
Symbols
Anchor
Craig uses an anchor to symbolize all the good things in his life. Anchors are things that Craig enjoys doing that keep him occupied. Craig's most important anchors are his brain maps. These maps remind Craig of his childhood, the time in his life before he became depressed.
Brain Maps
Craig draws maps inside of people's heads as a way to visually represent the way he sees their personality. Craig began to draw brain maps when he was younger, but when he became depressed he forgot about this pastime. He was only reminded of his love for drawing brain maps when he was in the psychiatric
hospital.
Tentacles
In contrast to anchors, tentacles are all the bad things in Craig's life which cause him to worry and stress. While Craig is at the hospital he views his email as tentacles because they are reminders of all the stress in his life. Tentacles are what cause Craig's mind to cycle.
Cycling
Craig's mind often wanders and thinks about all the tentacles in his life. Craig calls this cycling. Cycling is when the mind overthinks and overanalyzes everything in Craig's head. Craig needs to distract himself from cycling by occupying himself with his anchors.