Character: Marianne

Marianne is a significant character in The Trick is to Keep Breathing as she serves as a stark contrast to Joy, the protagonist.
Her character is important in bringing out Joy’s insecurities while also highlighting the disconnection with reality that frequently accompanies mental health issues.

Gregarious: Marianne is portrayed as socially active and vibrant, contrasting with Joy’s isolation and introversion.
Urban and trendy: She represents a modern lifestyle, which further contrasts with Joy’s stagnated and depressed state.
Caring and concerned: Marianne’s actions show her concern for Joy, but these are often misinterpreted by Joy as meddling or invasive.

Marianne’s parties: These social events exemplify Marianne’s lifestyle and highlight Joy’s withdrawal from such activities. Joy’s discomfort at these gatherings underscores her alienation.
Marianne’s attempts to help Joy: These gestures, albeit well-intended, increase Joy’s feelings of inadequacy and reveal the misunderstanding that can occur when one tries to help a person dealing with mental health issues.

Marianne acts as a narrative foil to Joy, emphasising Joy’s isolation and depression.
Her character underlines the novel’s exploration of misunderstanding and miscommunication in regards to mental health issues.
Marianne’s attempts to ‘fix’ Joy serve as a critique of societal expectations and the pressure it puts on individuals struggling with mental health.

Isolation: Through the lens of Marianne’s busy social life, Joy’s seclusion and alienation are magnified.
Mental Health Misunderstanding: Marianne’s interventions, though well-meaning, emphasise the general misapprehension society has about mental health.
Societal Expectations: Marianne embodies expectations of ‘normality’, which exacerbates Joy’s feelings of difference and inadequacy.

“Marianne’s life buzzed with company. She surrounded herself with friends.” - This quote illustrates Marianne’s vibrant lifestyle, as opposed to Joy’s solitude.
“Marianne’s cure-all was encouragement to socialise more.” - This highlights Marianne’s misunderstanding of mental health and her inability to comprehend Joy’s condition.
“In Marianne’s world, you got on with it.” - This reflects societal attitudes towards mental health, neglecting the complexities and struggles of a mental health condition.