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In the novel Little Bee, written by Chris Cleave, explores the challenges faced by a refugee girl and a couple of English citizens as they navigate life. Suicide plays a significant role in shaping the destinies of these characters, with various motivations that may be morally questionable to readers. Little Bee contemplates taking her own life when entering new environments, while her refugee companion commits suicide due to mental illness. Andrew also chooses to end his life because of clinical depression, leaving Charlie without a father.
Despite common perceptions of suicide as immoral, it can be seen as justifiable considering factors such as depression, rationality, and trauma, although its impact on family should not be underestimated.
Suicide in Little Bee is connected to depression or psychological problems, with two instances of suicide depicted in the novel. One involves a refugee girl in a barn, and the other involves Andrew's interaction with Little Bee. However, the most significant suicide in the narrative is Andrew's death due to depression, which affects other characters as well.
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Little Bee recounts how Andrew would occasionally shout at himself or harm himself physically, illustrating the depth of his suffering.
Andrew experienced extreme emotional pain, often crying and collapsing in the garden for hours. Psychiatrist Dr. Charles Raison from the University of Arizona acknowledges the unbearable suffering caused by severe major depression, describing it as the most excruciating pain one can endure for an extended period. Andrew battled this torment for two years before ultimately choosing to end his life to escape it.
The guilt he felt for not sacrificing his finger for the girls continued to haunt him until he could no longer find peace.
When individuals commit suicide, they often lack rationality in their thoughts. Both Andrew and the refugee girl showed poor judgment due to their depression or mental illness. In the novel, characters like Charlie realize that Andrew is not mentally stable. In a conversation between Sarah and Charlie, it is revealed that Andrew is unaware of reality, as he is seen as "fighting the baddies."
Peter V. Rabins quotes that those with major depression or substance abuse who commit suicide may not be considered rational. If someone is not in their right mind, their suicide can be seen as justifiable or understandable since they may not have control over their own lives. In the book, Andrew and the refugee girl were unaware of the impact their suicides would have on others or if their reasons for dying were truly worth it. For example, Andrew did not realize the effect his suicide would have on his 4-year-old child who would be left without a father.
Traumatic events or hurtful memories can serve as a rationale for harboring thoughts of suicide. Prior to finding Sarah and Charlie, Little Bee endured horrifying experiences, including witnessing the mutilation of Sarah's finger, the loss of her sister, and the suicide of her refugee companion. The fear of returning to her homeland where death awaited her fueled her persistent contemplation of suicide as an escape. Feeling apprehensive that Sarah might betray her, Little Bee inwardly acknowledges, "Yes Little Bee, in here you would break the mirror of that medicine cabinet and cut your wrists with the splinters." She justifies her desire to end her life by expressing a preference for choosing her own death over suffering a gruesome fate similar to her sister's torturous demise.
In the article “Relation between Traumatic Events and suicide Attempts in Canadian Military Personnel” it is noted that individuals who have experienced specific traumatic events are at a higher risk for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. The act of suicide may be justified by the painful experiences individuals have gone through. However, suicide is deemed immoral as it can have repercussions on others even if not intentional. In the novel Little Bee, the deaths of the refugee girl and Andrew have an impact on the lives of other characters. This is evident in Charlie's statement, “Yes, because if I not Batman all the time then daddy dies,” revealing his reaction to Andrew's death.
Charlie feels guilty about his father's death, even though he doesn't fully understand what happened. The emotional toll of losing his father leads Charlie to find comfort and diversion in his batman suit. Research shows that young individuals who lose a parent to suicide are more likely to experience mental health problems, suicidal ideation, and impulsive behavior. While Charlie eventually stops depending on the batman suit in the story, he continues to be susceptible to the lasting consequences of growing up without a father and discovering the truth about his dad's death.
There are differing opinions on the morality of suicide, with some individuals supporting it while others disapprove. Suicide is thought to have adverse consequences for loved ones and may contradict religious beliefs. Father Charles Rubey, a Catholic priest in Chicago, examines the salvation of individuals who commit suicide and delves into the religious viewpoint on this issue. The ongoing debate over whether God considers suicide a sinful deed leading to eternal punishment underscores how religion shapes ethical viewpoints on suicide.
According to Father Rubey, suicide is not considered a sinful act in the eyes of God because it is seen as an act of desperation rather than malice (PBS). It is often viewed as a decision made in a state of irrationality, where individuals may choose to end their lives as a way to express emotions and escape from life's pain. While some may find suicide unacceptable, there are various reasons that can justify such actions. Those who commit suicide often experience depression or trauma that impairs their ability to think clearly. Instead of being judged harshly, those who take their own lives should be understood for their desire to end their suffering in a world full of violence.
The Justifiability of Suicide in Little Bee. (2017, Jan 04). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/little-bee-by-chris-cleave-essay
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