How similar are the ways in which Francesca Lia Block's prose text, "The Hanged Man" and John Edward's film "Gia" explore the central characters' struggle with depression?
             Depression is a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal. A sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason. The prose text "The Hanged Man" deals with such an issue in great depth and the physical problems that can follow this psychological disorder. As does the film text, Gia, only the film also presents the emotions and pain felt by the central character with extensive technique.
             "The Hanged Man" is a simple, yet complex prose text. Which attracts, but also disturbs and contradicts itself in countless ways, as it presents the Laurel's struggle with depression. "The Hanged Man" is unsettling as it symbolises the action of paradox in our lives. Laurel the central character in the text, is haunted by a legacy of family secrets, hidden shame, and shattered glass after her father's death. Laurel immerses herself in the toil and turmoil of teenage depression. The subsequent dilemmas that Laurel deals with are that of something wild, caged, and pacing. Slowly Laurel begins to lose herself, battling the troubles of anorexia and a life of regret. But when she runs away from the past, she discovers a passion so powerful, it brings her roundabout and face-to-face with the demons she wants to avoid.
             The film text "Gia" is based on America's first supermodel Gia Carangi who is corrupted by the promise of fame and wealth and becomes unable to deal with relationship problems and the stress of fame. Unlike Laurel who is living a completely different lifestyle, but is feeling pain equally as destructive. Gia deals with intense depression and turns to drugs, which corrupt her life into one full of pain, suffering and the decline of fame, ...