Societal Stigma, Cultural Norms, and Representation of Mental Conditions in Bayo Adebowale's Out of His Mind and Lonely Days
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lead City University Ibadan
Abstract
This study investigates the representation of mental conditions in Bayo Adebowale’s Out of His Mind and Lonely Days, with specific attention to how societal stigma and cultural norms shape the psychological states of the protagonists. It fills the gap in Nigerian literary studies regarding the intersection of societal stigma, cultural norms, and mental health representation, using psychoanalytic and socio-cultural theories as template of discussion. The study adopts a qualitative research design. The population comprises the two selected novels. The sample includes Out of His Mind and Lonely Days, selected purposively for their thematic focus on mental conditions and cultural influence. Instruments for data collection include in-depth content analysis of the novels and scholarly secondary sources; analysis followed a thematic interpretative method. Key findings show that both protagonists suffer mental distress as a result of societal pressures, Out of His Mind reflects how stigmatization and neglect intensify mental
instability, while Lonely Days illustrates the emotional toll of patriarchal widowhood practices. Both novels reveal that conformity to harmful cultural expectations often results in isolation, aggression, and psychological breakdown. The study concludes that socio-cultural elements are central to understanding the mental conditions of characters in Nigerian literature. It recommends that future literary research explore wider applications of psychoanalytic theory in African narratives to enrich understanding of character development and mental health portrayal.
Keywords: Societal stigma, mental conditions, cultural norms, societal expectations, and psychological distress.
Word Count: 228
Description
Keywords
Societal stigma, mental conditions, cultural norms, societal expectations, and psychological distress.
Citation
Kate Turabian