Character: Tony

In The Trick is to Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway, Tony is presented as a complex character who significantly impacts Joy’s mental health journey.
Despite his seemingly positive presence, Tony’s ongoing affair paints a portrait of an unreliable and insensitive figure in Joy’s life.
His presence and actions trigger Joy’s emotional upheaval and intensification of her depression, revealing the intricate relationship between our interactions and our mental state.

Tony’s enthusiasm and charisma initially appear comforting to Joy, but this is a misleading facade which hides his true nature.
His ongoing affair reveals his deceitful nature, injecting an undercurrent of dishonesty and betrayal in his relationship with Joy.
His inability and unwillingness to provide psychological support for Joy epitomise the superficiality of their relationship, causing a further deterioration in Joy’s mental health.

Tony symbolises betrayal and false hope in the narrative, triggering Joy’s deepening despair and emotional turmoil.
He embodies the unpredictability of life, challenging Joy’s expectations of trust and stability, and contributing to her unstable mental state.
Through the character of Tony, the author offers a critique of society’s ignorance and indifference to those grappling with mental health.

Betrayal: Tony’s deception plays a crucial role in accentuating Joy’s feelings of betrayal and abandonment.
Superficiality: The superficial elements of Tony’s relationship with Joy highlight the lack of meaningful connections in Joy’s life.
Indifference: His lack of understanding and ability to support Joy illustrates the indifferent attitudes of individuals towards mental health.

“Tony and his charm were a mask.” - This quote clearly hints at Tony’s deceitful persona hidden beneath his attractive exterior.
“An unfinished conversation with Tony.” - Represents Joy’s unresolved emotions tied to Tony’s actions.
“Tony’s view of the world was unreliable.” - This quote illustrates the impact of Tony’s flawed perspective on Joy’s mental state.