Lena’s mother died from the infection - the infection of love. The procedure failed to cure her, and Lena’s family is tainted because of it. Lena herself looks forward to the procedure, the cure, because it will rid her of the pain she feels over her mother’s suicide. It will keep her from suffering a similar fate, so Lena embrace the idea that love is a disease. Until she is infected.
Love as a Pathology in Delirium
In this teen novel, the physical and psychological effects of love are perceived as a pathology. The medical community devises a criteria for diagnosis just like our current-day DSM-IV provides guidelines for diagnosing mental disorders. Once characters reach puberty, they undergo a medical procedure to “cure” them from love. Termed “Invalids,” those who refuse the procedure must hide from established society in “the Wilds.”
In the story, Lauren Oliver explores the idea that love creates destructive physical and emotional changes within humans. Some examples include our ability to coerce, manipulate, and persuade loved ones to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do; the pain that humans feel when such love ends; and the poor judgment and impulsiveness that often occurs when first falling in love. In the dystopian world Lauren Oliver created, all of these symptoms indicate infection and require treatment.
The treatment for love in this sci-fi novel is an undefined medical procedure that leaves a scar behind the ear. This procedure is considered a cure for most, but has failed in certain instances (as in the case of Lena’s mother). Those who have been cured become incapable of the emotions required for love and conduct their social lives based on practical considerations like common interests, backgrounds, and status. They believe this lack of love creates a more stable environment.
The Philosophy of Love - An Ill-Defined Concept
Lauren Oliver has chosen an interesting approach to love in Delirium, but no less interesting is the fact that love is truly an ill-defined state. It means different things to different people and in different contexts. A single all-encompassing definition does not exist. According to the Stanford School of Philosophy, four schools of thought predominate in defining love:
- Love as a union.
- Love as robust concern.
- Love as valuing.
- Love as emotion.
Each of these defines love differently, although there are some overlapping areas. In fact, picking and choosing from each area creates an infinite number of definitions within the same general philosophy. This likely explains why readers and writers never seem to tire of the subject. It is open to an infinite number of interpretations.
About the Author
Delirium is Lauren Oliver’s second novel. Harper Collins released her first novel, Before I Fall, in March 2010. Both have been optioned for film release. Visit Lauren Oliver’s blog to see her latest projects.
Jennifer Groepl - Living the good life in beautiful Cape Coral, Florida, Jennifer Groepl is currently working on her YA fiction projects. An intrinsically ...
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