Interpreting Myrtle's Self Criticism In Moaning Myrtle

As it follows the magical heroism of the eponymous protagonist, the Harry Potter franchise explores such deeply relatable themes of survival, belongingness, and oppression—paradoxically appealing to intimate issues inherent within realistic society whist too inventing a distinctively detached, high-fantasy environment. Ostensibly, the normative confines of the magical realm of Harry Potter transcend those of the non-magical “Muggle” world: Harry’s conversations with the seemingly sentient Headmaster portraits that adorn Hogwarts’ walls, for example, would likely be deemed an abnormal experience of a visual-auditory hallucination based upon the cultural and experiential norms of the Muggle, Western psychiatrist. Yet, the “othering” and stigmatization
Myrtle’s sense of self proves essentially relational to the accumulated criticisms she has received from others. Self-reflection—especially on body image—prompts internal “anguish” (Rowling 134) as Myrtle generalizes the taunts of her long-gone bullies to all those she encounters, as evidenced in one particularly hostile outburst—“D'you think I don't know what people call me behind my back? Fat Myrtle! Ugly Myrtle! Miserable, moaning, moping Myrtle!” (134) Occasionally, however, Myrtle’s self-image heightens, manifesting as aggressive and inappropriate flirtation; for example, Harry’s ultimate survival by the conclusion of the Chamber of Secrets comes at Myrtle’s dismay, blushingly wishing death upon him. (325) Myrtle’s hyper-sensitivity to criticism—whether internally and externally articulated or supposed—underscore her preoccupation with, and fear of, abandonment; perhaps resultantly, she casually ruminates over death as well as expresses of explicit suicidal intent despite her already-undead existence. (229) Accordingly, Myrtle sporadically disassociates from her phantasmal identity: at times, she is wholly aware of her ghostliness and insulted when others do not acknowledge it, as indicated as she states, “I do have feelings, you know, even if I am dead.” (155) Conversely, Myrtle periodically forgets
Particularly, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) attends to both the biological and environmental components of the emotional dysregulation associated with BPD. Within treatment, Myrtle and her therapist would establish a hierarchy of treatment goals, prioritizing her suicidal tendencies and ideation. Through the application of such principles as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills, DBT would guide Myrtle to more effectively recognize and calm her internal chaotic state and develop skills to manage her emotions and impulses. Medication may be used concordantly with DBT to help regulate her biological systems as well as alleviate her emotional changeability and depressive symptoms. The efficacy of drug-based treatment, however, remains questionable: a 2010 review by the Cochrane collaboration states that no medications successfully remedy “the core BPD symptoms of chronic feelings of emptiness, identity disturbance and