Narratives of grief and their potential for transformation

Abstract

This article examines narratives of grief and loss and how, under the best of circumstances, they may lead to transformation and growth, even contributing to the greater social good. Using psychodynamic and narrative theories, and examples drawn from mourners who have used their grief in powerful and political ways, I make the case that even grief that has been highly appropriated and contested, as in the case of Terri Schiavo, may ultimately serve important functions. Grief may mobilize mourners by helping them to turn passivity into activity. Grief may mobilize higher-level defenses such as altruism. Grief and loss may lead to a mourner's desire to do for others what was not done for him or her. A necessary part of turning grief into social action is the creation of a coherent grief narrative—first personal and then political. This coherent narrative can be developed using clinical interventions as well. Hence I discuss the clinical implications of helping those who are grieving to create coherent narratives out of shattered assumptions in a process of personal and social change.