Literary Psychology: Minor Depression and Major Depression

One of the psychological aspects that often appear in literary works is mental disorders, especially depression. Depression can generally be categorized into two forms: minor depression and major depression. Minor depression is often described as a temporary feeling of melancholy or sadness that can be overcome. Meanwhile, major depression has more complex and profound characteristics, involving a loss of meaning in life as well as destructive tendencies, even to the point of suicide. Through the perspective of literary psychology, this psychological condition is constructed through characterisation, symbolism, and narrative structure. Literary works not only reflect human experiences, but also become an effective medium in describing various forms of mental disorders, character struggles, and the social impacts that arise due to mental health problems (Septiaji, 2025). By understanding the representation of depression in literature, we can gain deeper insights into its psychological impact and implications for readers and society.

Literary psychology is an interdisciplinary approach that links psychological theory with the analysis of literary works. This approach provides an understanding of the inner experiences and psychological conflicts experienced by the characters in a work (Klomberg, 2022). In the context of depression, literary psychology plays a role in identifying the psychological motives, environmental influences, and emotional impact experienced by the characters in the story so that these phenomena become the author's power to describe the mental state of the characters (Martin, 2022). Minor depression is characterized by prolonged sadness that does not significantly interfere with daily activities. It is usually caused by certain life events such as loss, failure, or life changes. Meanwhile, major depression is characterized by deep feelings of hopelessness, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, loss of interest in daily activities and even suicidal tendencies.

Both forms of depression in literary works are often used to build character wholeness. Through the perspective of literary psychology, readers can understand how depression affects a character's behaviour and how the author uses this psychological condition to reinforce the themes of the story. Minor depression is often portrayed as a state of sadness that can still be controlled by the character. For example, in the novel “The Catcher in the Rye” (1967) by J.D. Salinger, the character Holden Caulfield experiences various symptoms of minor depression, such as feelings of alienation, loss of interest in social life, and search for the meaning of life. Despite experiencing emotional difficulties, Holden still has the awareness to continue his life and seek an understanding of the world around him. Meanwhile, in the novel “Norwegian Wood” (2025) by Haruki Murakami, the character Toru Watanabe shows symptoms of minor depression due to the loss of his best friend who committed suicide. The sadness and sense of emptiness he experiences does not immediately lead him into major depression but it still has a significant impact on the way he interacts with the world and people around him. Through these two examples, minor depression becomes an important element in character development, showing how individuals deal with feelings of sadness and isolation in their lives.

Major depression has more complex characteristics than minor depression. One well-known example is the character of Esther Greenwood in the novel “The Bell Jar” (1963) by Sylvia Plath. Esther experiences various symptoms of major depression including deep feelings of hopelessness, loss of life motivation, and suicide attempts. Plath describes Esther's mental state in great detail, showing how major depression can destroy a person's life and limit their ability in social life. In “Crime and Punishment” (2013) by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the character Raskolnikov experiences symptoms of major depression. After committing a murder, he is haunted by feelings of guilt and loss of meaning in life. His depression not only affects his own psychological state but also the narrative structure of the novel, which is full of philosophical and psychological reflections.

Meanwhile, in Indonesian literature, the issue of depression cannot be separated. For example, the novel “Supernova: Kesatria, Putri, dan Bintang Jatuh” (2012) by Dee Lestari features the character Diva who experiences symptoms of minor depression due to existential void and identity conflict. The novel “Pulang” (2012) by Leila S. Chudori describes the psychological impact of political exile and past trauma that leads to major depressive symptoms in some of its characters. “Cantik itu Luka” (2016) by Eka Kurniawan features characters struggling with trauma and depression due to violence, war, and loss. Okky Madasari's novel “Maryam” (2012) depicts deep psychological suffering due to social exclusion and discrimination that leads to major depressive symptoms.

Literary works featuring characters with depression help readers to understand and empathise with diverse mental conditions as this reduces the stigma attached to mental illness and raises awareness about mental health issues. Through the characters revealed, literature provides important insights into the effects of mental illness that can drastically change a person's life and impact social interactions.

Reader Representation

Literature has an important role in raising awareness and empathy towards mental health issues, including depression. Reading relevant works that depict depression, readers can gain a better understanding of the experiences of characters with mental illness. In addition, literature can be a tool for self-reflection, helping readers who experience similar conditions to feel more understood and less alone (Wang, et al., 2025). Representations of depression in literature also have the potential for harm if not handled properly, as narratives about depression can reinforce stigma or provide dramatic images of mental suffering. Therefore, it is important for authors to portray this condition with responsibility and awareness of the impact on readers.

Minor and major depression are psychological phenomena that often appear in literary works as elements of character building and story themes. Through a literary psychology approach, readers can understand how these psychological conditions are constructed in literary texts and how they reflect human psychological reality. Minor depression is often portrayed as a manageable sadness, while major depression is shown as a more complex condition. By understanding the representation of depression in literature, readers not only gain insight into the psychological condition of the characters but also can raise awareness of mental health issues in real life. Literature with its narrative excellence can be an effective tool in reinforcing a better understanding of depression and providing a space for someone experiencing the disorder to feel more appreciated.

References

Chudori, L. S. (2013). Pulang. Jakarta: Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia.

Dostoevsky, F. (1993). Crime and Punishment. UK: Vintage Classic.

Klomberg, B., Schilhab, T., & Burke, M. (2022). Picturing Fiction Through Embodied Cognition: Drawn Representations and Viewpoint in Literary Texts. New York and London: Routledge.

Kurniawan, E. (2016). Cantik Itu Luka. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

Lestari, D. (2012). Supernova: Ksatria, Putri, & Bintang Jatuh. Yogyakarta: Bentang Pustaka.

Madasari, O. (2012). Maryam. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama.

Martin, M. R. (2022). Psychoanalysis and Literary Theory: An Introduction. New York and London: Routledge.

Murakami, H. (2025). Norwegian Wood. UK: Penguin Random House.

Plath, S. (1963). The Bell Jar. United States: Ryerson Pressbooks.

Salinger, J.D. (1967). The Catcher in The Rye. New York: Bantam Books.

Septiaji, A. (2025, 19 Februari). Mental Health Issues in Literature. Diakses pada 16 April 2025, dari https://medium.com/@ajiseptiaji/mental-health-issues-in-literature-df10241a7e41

Wang, B., Shi, Q., Wang, X., Zhou, Y., Zeng, W., & Wang Z. (2025). EmotionLens: Interactive Visual Exploration of the Circumplex Emotion Space in Literary Works via Affective Word Clouds. Visual Informatics. 9 (1), 84-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visinf.2025.02.003.