Character: Joy Stone

Joy Stone, a teacher in her mid-thirties, is the protagonist of the novel The Trick is to Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway.
She’s struggling with severe mental health issues following the death of her lover, Michael.
Joy’s narrative voice is fragmented and disjointed, reflecting upon her deteriorating mental state.
She is characterised by her profound sense of loneliness and isolation in the face of her ordeal.

Joy’s relationships with other characters, particularly Michael and his wife June, significantly shape her character.
Joy’s romantic relationship with Michael, while it gave her happiness, has since caused her great pain due to his untimely death.
The illicit nature of their relationship leaves her with guilt and a lack of social support after his death.
She sees June as an adversary and feels resentment and guilt towards her.

As the novel progresses, Joy’s condition worsens, and she finds herself unable to follow societal norms or engage with others.
Her job as a teacher, once something she derived pleasure from, becomes unbearable due to her mental health issues.
Joy goes through stages of anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - somewhat reflecting the Kübler-Ross stages of grief.
Despite her struggles, Joy exhibits sheer determination to carry on living, as she understands that the trick is to keep breathing.

Isolation: Joy’s loneliness and social isolation are key to her character development.
Despair: Joy’s intense despair and feelings of hopelessness are central to her character’s portrayal.
Resilience: Despite her difficult circumstances, Joy consistently demonstrates resilience and a will to survive.

“I am not mad; I am merely waiting.” - This quote encapsulates Joy’s patient endurance in the face of her mental health struggles.
“Feeling guilty is easier than feeling nothing. It’s warmer.” - This quote hints at Joy’s complex emotional state and her struggle with guilt.
“Survival is everything.” - This succinct affirmation reflects Joy’s prevailing desire to survive, despite her debilitating struggles.