Staging Disability in John Belluso’s The Rules of Charity (2007)

Since the 1990s, disability studies have received increasing attention. These studies denote the various ways people understand, explain, and respond to disability. Several theories or models have emerged over time, each with different assumptions about what disability is and how society should deal with it. This research aims to analyze John Belluso’s The Rules of Charity (2007) from a socio-psychological perspective. Rooted in the literary disability theory, the paper incorporates elements of both the psychoanalytical and the family systems theories. It investigates the effects of disability on family relationships and dynamics as well as the societal challenges faced by disabled individuals. The paper also highlights the significant psychological consequences of disability on parent-child interactions in Belluso’s play. Key sources of conflict in the relationship between adult children and their disabled parents stem from long-term interdependence and caregiving responsibilities. Caring for a disabled parent carries substantial emotional, physical, and often financial burdens, impacting on the caregiver's wellbeing and interpersonal relationships.