Afewcharactersfromliterature presentcopingmechanismsinaclear way,thosebeing Louise,from“TheFatGirl” byAndreDubus,Osei,from“NewBoy” byTracyChevallier,Lionelfrom “Teacher´sDead”byBenjamin Zephaniah,andPeter,from“The Daydreamer”byIanMcEwan.The
Louise’slifeintheshortstoryisbothrealisticand tragic.Whilewethinkitshorriblethatherown motherwon’taccepthersolelybyaquestionof howmanypoundsshewheighs,thiskindof treatmentisnotuncommon,especiallyforwomen.
ThislifehasmadeLouiseunhappytoatremendous degree,andthemultiplestrictdietsshehastofollow asanattempttoachievehermother’sapprovalleave herhungryafterdinner.Asasolution,thegirlsecretly eatsunhealthyamountsofcandyinsecret.Now,the factsheeatscandyandchocolateisnocoincidence: Thissweetdelightnaturallyreleasesendorphines,the hormonesthatcauseustofeelpleasureandhapiness, soinaverylightway,Louiseishelpingherselffeel happier,buthasdevelopedaveryrealaddictionand relianceonthisfood.
Closingyourselfto othersisanunhealthy copingmechanism andanexampleof isolationandis usuallyusedwhen you’reafraidof gettingjudgedbadly byothersandit’s commoninchildren andteenagers.
Hurtinganotherasadefensemechanism, thisbehaviormayarisefrompast experiencesoftrauma,abuse,or rejection.Whensomeonefeelshelpless, theymaylearntohurtothersasawayto protectthemfromfuturehurt.Inthenovel "teacher'sdead",thecharacterLionel usedtohurtothersasadefense mechanismforhisdifficultsituationat home.Heusedtohurtandkillcatsand alsousedtoisolatehimselfwithhisfriend Ramzi.
Peterusesdaydreamingasacoping mechanism,awaytoescaperealityand understandthechangeshefacesashe growsup.Insteadofconfrontingthose challengesandchanges,heentersin imaginaryandfakeworldswherehehas controlandcanbeahero.Thesefantasies becomearefuge,asafeplacewherehe escapesfromthecomplexitiesofgrowing up.
