“A ZOMBIES´ LAMENT: An analysis about important issues that are present during the adolescent stage”

STUDENTS: NIETO, OLAZABAL, BARROCA

“I don´t really understand it. I mean, it´s not like we´re any different than we were before we died. We crave security, companionship, and love. We laugh and cry and feel emotional pain.”

The previous extract has been taken from the science fiction story “A ZOMBIES´ LAMENT”, written by S. G Browne. This story is about Andy, who has a car accident and dies. He loses his wife, Sara, in the accident and consequently, their daughter goes to live with Sara´s sister. Andy becomes a zombie and he tries to adjust his new life as one of the undead. In this world, zombies are second class-citizens.

During the adolescent stage one of the most important issues adolescents go through is the development of a sense of personal identity and the sense of belonging to a group.

This essay will be the analysis of the science fiction story “A ZOMBIES´LAMENT ” written by S. G Browne. Throughout the story teenagers can reflect upon some important issues that are present during adolescence such as: searching for identity and sense of belonging.

Identity

One of the most important tasks that teenagers confront during adolescence is the search for identity.
According to Erikson (1979) “identity is a new way of thinking about oneself that emerges during adolescence. Identity involves a sense of self-unity, accompanied by a feeling that the self has continuity over time. A firmly established identity also provides a sense of uniqueness as a person. Moreover, Sprinthall and Collins (1984) mention that the process of establishing an identity involves “integrating into a coherent whole one´s past experiences, ongoing personal changes, and society´s demands and expectations for one´s future.”

By reading “A ZOMBIES´LAMENT”, young adult readers can reflect upon their own search for identity since the main character of the story, Andy, is trying to look for a new identity as a zombie and which is not an easy task for him.

The following quotation shows us how Andy is searching for a new identity since he can´t recover his past life.

“To be honest, I don´t know what I want. I know what I´d like-I´d like to have my life back, to be married again and sitting on the couch in the family room with my wife and daughter, watching a movie while our two cats chase each other around the house.”

Here the character is expressing his feelings in this new stage. He is wishing that his new life was similar to his past life in many aspects and he is trying to recognize those positive phacets as a zombie.
Teenagers are constantly looking for their own identity in the manner as the main protagonist of the story is doing with his new life after the accident.

Sense of belonging

Another important task that teenagers have to face during the adolescent stage is that they need to belong to a group in their society.

James Gilmore (2005) suggests that “adolescents want to feel they belong. All humans desire a connection with someone who cares and feels they are part of something bigger than themselves. Teens are not the exception, in fact, since adolescence is such a radical time of change, the need may be even more prevalent.” Kanopka (1973), in her study of the conditions necessary for healthy development of youth, states that “young adults need to have a sense of belonging both to their own age group and among adults.”

Taking into account that in the story Andy needs to belong to a group of zombies, young adult readers may feel identified with the main character of “A ZOMBIES´LAMENT” and they can reflect upon their need to establish a sense of belonging since during adolescence, teenagers need to belong to a group of peers as it happens with Andy in the story.

This can be appreciated in the following extract where the character of the story decides to join to a zombies´ group.

“After a while, I get bored, like dogs left alone in the house who starts chewing on things in frustration-shoes, couches, pillows. And like a dog, I´m starting to feel anxious and frustrated. Except I don´t think I´m going to be satisfied with chewing on pillows.
I´ve joined a support group, the local chapter of UA-Undead Anonymous.”

 As it can be seen in the previous extract, Andy is alone and frustrated, he does not know what to do and he needs to belong to a group, a group where he can feel identified with. With his life as a zombie, he can not be with his daughter, parents, friends or his dead wife, This is the reason why he joins to Undead Anonymous group.

Young adults may feel identified with Andy since during adolescence, teenagers desire a connection with someone who cares and feels they are part of something bigger than themselves.

As regards the sense of belonging, groups offer teens the opportunity to share ideas and interests, to demonstrate their abilities and to gain a personal recognition, all of which contributes to increase self-steem. When teens feel like they fit in a group that promotes their likes and values, they become stronger in their own attitudes and convictions. (James Gilmore, 2005)

Throughout this analysis, it has been demonstrated that “A ZOMBIES´LAMENT” can make adolescents reflect upon some important issues such as: searching for identity and the sense of belonging. This story can help adolescents to reflect about their own lives.

References

• Browne, S. G. ( 2009 ) “A ZOMBIES´LAMENT”. United States, Black dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
• Erikson ( 1979 ) Erikson´s stages of development.
• Sprinhall, N. A & W. Collins ( 1984 ) Adolescent psychology: A development view.
• James Gilmore ( 2005 ) Contemporary Educational Psychology.