58 pages • 1 hour read
Mira T. LeeEverything Here Is Beautiful
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: Mira T. Lee
Mira T. Lee is a contemporary American author whose work explores ideas of identity, family, and mental illness. Lee was born in Ohio to Chinese immigrant parents. She depicts this experience of cultural duality in Everything Here is Beautiful, her debut novel, in which two Chinese American sisters must navigate the nuances of their cultural identities and the impact these nuances have on their relationships to others.
In addition to writing about Chinese American experiences, Lee addresses the stigmatization of mental health conditions within society. Her characters grapple with the impact of mental illness on daily life, both from the viewpoint of a person with mental health conditions and that of a caretaker’s. Lee works to humanize traditionally stigmatized illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia through characters like Lucia, aiming to increase empathy and combat biased, stereotypical representations of mental health that are often seen in media. In addition to Everything Here is Beautiful, Lee has written multiple essays and short stories for various publications, such as the New York Times Modern Love column and the Harvard Review.
Social Context: Destigmatizing Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex mental condition characterized by atypical perceptions of reality and behavior. It consists of “a combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling” (“Schizophrenia.” Mayo Clinic, 20 Jan. 2020). Portrayals of and discussions about schizophrenia often consist of misconceptions and stereotypes, which can stigmatize and marginalize those living with the condition.
One common misconception about schizophrenia is that it is a synonym for Dissociative Identity Disorder, a condition in which a person has several identities living within one “system” in their mind. Schizophrenia does not involve the creation of “alters,” or different identities, but rather pertains to a disconnection from reality. People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and difficulty concentrating. Reduced ability to experience pleasure, lack of motivation, and social withdrawal are also common symptoms. These symptoms can greatly impact a person’s day-to-day life, making it challenging to maintain relationships, hold down a job, or even complete simple tasks.
Stereotypes about schizophrenia are often perpetuated in media and cultural narratives. Films and television shows tend to depict individuals with schizophrenia as violent, unpredictable, or dangerous. This portrayal reinforces real-life discrimination against people with schizophrenia and often prevents people from seeking the help they may require. The fear and misunderstanding associated with the condition often results in social isolation of individuals with schizophrenia. This can have a significant impact on their self-esteem and mental well-being, hindering their ability to live fulfilling lives.
Moreover, lack of understanding and awareness about the condition contributes to the underfunding of mental health services and research. Society often downplays schizophrenia’s severity and fails to acknowledge that it is a chronic condition that can be debilitating. Consequently, resources and support for those living with schizophrenia are insufficient and often difficult to find, leading to inadequate treatment options and limited access to mental health care (Watson, Stephanie. “Schizophrenia Myths and Facts.” WebMD, 23 Apr. 2023).
In Everything Here is Beautiful, Lucia is officially diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 26. Throughout the story, Lucia faces stigma, bias, and stereotypes regarding her mental health—from strangers, healthcare professionals, and even her own family. Through Lucia, Lee explores the differences between perception and reality, and how those differences can shape the way a person makes choices and interacts with the world. In describing the complexities of Lucia’s treatment, Lee raises questions of autonomy and free will, particularly when it comes at the risk of harm to oneself or others. The theme of Balancing Self-Care and Family Obligations primarily focuses on Lucia and her caregivers; Lee explores the complicated emotions that come with caring for someone with a mental health condition, as well as the struggle to balance obligation to a loved one with the importance of living one’s own life.
Literary Context: Contemporary Fiction by Chinese American Authors
Contemporary fiction by Chinese American authors tends to illuminate the struggles, triumphs, and nuances of the immigrant experience. Their writing bridges the gap between cultures, conveying the challenges faced by individuals who exist between two worlds. Through these narratives, readers gain insights into the complexities of identity formation, intergenerational relationships, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Chinese American authors like Celeste Ng, Amy Tan, and Mira T. Lee delve into the complexities of multi-generational relationships, immigration and its impact on identity, and cultural assimilation. Their works provide a lens through which readers can gain insight into the multifaceted nature of the Chinese American experience. In Everything Here is Beautiful, Lee explores culture through the Bok sisters. Miranda, the eldest, is already a child when she and her mother move to America; this positions her more closely to Chinese culture than Lucia, who is born and raised in America. As such, Miranda often represents common elements of Chinese culture, particularly the obligation to family. Miranda repeatedly does so at the expense of her own interests. In contrast, Lucia lives a more individualistic lifestyle; She pursues what she wants and what she likes, often moving around in accordance with her own desires. While some of Lucia’s choices occur during mental health crises, many others are simply examples of Lucia’s independent personality.
Lee incorporates elements of Chinese culture throughout the novel. The sisters refer to each other as “Jie” and “Mei,” shortened versions of the Chinese terms for “older sister” and “younger sister.” There are references to their ties to Chinese culture: Miranda notes that “Lucia could recite twenty Chinese poems by the time she was three” (7), and the sisters sell their “inauspicious” childhood home after their mother dies, in accordance with her wishes. In the Epilogue, Miranda describes returning to China and learning the truth of her father’s gambling habits and his death by suicide; she mentions that “it still [saddens her] deeply, above all this thought: that [their] mother had insisted on carrying these burdens alone” (351). This reflects the sense of familial obligation that is often present in Chinese American families, and it is furthered by Miranda’s decision not to tell Lucia’s daughter certain parts of Lucia’s past.
