Illness as Metaphor in Contemporary Autobiographies: A Theoretical and Methodological Study

This research article explores the use of illness as a metaphor in contemporary autobiographies, focusing on two key texts: The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs and The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After by Julie Yip-Williams. Using Susan Sontag’s theoretical framework from Illness as Metaphor, this paper investigates how these memoirs use illness not only as a literal experience but also as a symbolic representation of broader existential, social, and philosophical themes. By applying narrative analysis as the primary research methodology, the article examines how the metaphor of illness shapes these autobiographical narratives, reflecting on identity, mortality, and the human condition.