Frankenstein´s mother

Abstract

The following article uses literature as a mechanism for reflection on people with mental disorders. La madre de Frankenstein is a historical fiction book written by Almudena Grandes. The plot of the book takes place in the Ciempozuelos madhouse, where Aurora Rodríguez Carballeira spends the rest of her days after being prosecuted for the murder of her daughter. Consequently, the article seeks to relate the book La Madre de Frankenstein to the social reality of Ecuador, in which people with mental illnesses suffer due to the stigma of society, self-stigma and family stigma. On the one hand, they must overcome the pain and symptoms of their disease, and, on the other hand, they must fight against the social disadvantages that collective rejection creates. Due to this, and to generate a social conscience, it is necessary to exhibit the adversities that surround people with mental illness. The concept of dignity has been gradually transformed throughout history, making it polysemic. Even though, the concept is necessary since human rights are based on it. Nowadays, the scope of this term is broader, but it is necessary to address the relationship of this concept with people suffering from mental illness. Currently, dignity is considered to be inherent in every human being, however people with mental disorders are often treated as means to an end. Dignity gives a value to the person for the simple fact of existing. This encourages the mentally ill people to seek better living conditions despite the fact that their autonomy -in certain cases- has a limit. Social inclusion, for the recognition of this dignity, is necessary. It is important to consider that all the mentally ill have dignity, and, at the same time, it must be encouraged that people with mental disorders live their illness with dignity. They cannot be deprived from jobs, education, medicines, etc. Although the rights of people with mental disorders are recognized in legal instruments, their invisibility in the system cannot be ignored. In this way, families start having a stigma against them, so they often avoid their care. The State replicates this action since the allocation of financial resources is minimal for the health sector. Although the number of people with mental disorders increases every year, the budget allocated by the State to this sector decreases. Despite the fact that dignity of people with mental disorders has been recognized in international instruments, in declarations and in constitutions, reality shows us that this problem is far from being visible.