Alone or in Solitude: A Literary Exploration of Rest Cure and Solo Culture in Two Fictional Works

Abstract

Loneliness and solitude are two distinct terms often used interchangeably in literature to describe characters who are detached from society. The transition from loneliness to the rise of 'Super-Solo Culture' has been observed in recent years, particularly in Japan, which has led to a preference for living and doing things alone, away from society. This phenomenon has emerged in the past few decades as people in Metropolitan cities choose to live alone rather than have a companion. The paper attempts to unravel the relationship between Solitude and Loneliness and how it has evolved. It attempts to capture the mentality of the characters who undergo mental and physical traumas. Both voluntary and involuntary isolation are taken into consideration for analysis. This paper aims to analyse the gender norms of two cultures that led to the rest cure and solo culture in their respective time. Textual analysis is conducted in the works of The Yellow Wallpaper (1892) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1997) by Haruki Murakami. The Cultural background of these selected works varies from American to Japanese societies, providing a rich variation in history and culture. Though it is based on fiction, it mirrors the reality of the times it represents. The study aims to demonstrate how people's perceptions of loneliness have altered society and literature throughout the centuries.