Character: Ellen Holmes

Character: Ellen Holmes

Overview of Character

  • Ellen Holmes is a supporting character in Janice Galloway’s novel, The Trick is to Keep Breathing.
  • Ellen is the sister of the novel’s protagonist, Joy Stone, and plays a crucial role in Joy’s life.
  • She is portrayed as an unempathetic and critical figure who creates extra emotional turmoil for Joy.
  • Unlike Joy, Ellen is able to uphold societal expectations and norms while maintaining her emotional stability.

Key Relationships

  • The most crucial relationship for Ellen is her bond with her sister, Joy.
  • Ellen’s seemingly insensitive approach towards Joy’s mental breakdown shows a significant lack of understanding and empathy towards mental health issues.
  • Although Ellen is continuously shown as indifferent and uncaring, she is one of the few characters who remain a constant presence in Joy’s life.

Character Development

  • Ellen’s character does not evolve much throughout the novel, remaining stubbornly inflexible to Joy’s unfolding mental health crisis.
  • Her lack of empathy and understanding towards Joy’s situation is consistent, suggesting that she perhaps represents the societal stigmatization of mental health problems.
  • Ellen’s judgemental attitude also mirrors society’s inclination to blame the victim in situations of mental health crises.

Key Themes

  • Lack of Understanding: Ellen embodies the societal stigma and lack of understanding towards mental illnesses.
  • Judgement: Her judgemental attitude towards Joy’s situation draws attention to society’s unjustified blame on victims.
  • Stability vs Instability: Ellen maintains a stark contrast with Joy’s life, representing stability while Joy battles instability.

Relevant Quotes

  • “Ellen shakes her head the way she does when she thinks I’m being stupid.” - This shows Ellen’s dismissive attitude towards Joy and her struggles.
  • “Ellen never shouts.” - This quote, in contrast with Joy’s volatile emotions, signifies Ellen’s emotionally stable character.
  • “Ellen always says I exaggerate.” - The persistent criticism from Ellen intensifies Joy’s feeling of isolation and misunderstanding.