Examples Of Resilience In The Break

Resilience in The Break

The Break is a novel that has constant conflicts and issues occuring, from mental health issues to addictions and death to gangs, there is always conflict. Many of the characters find a way to deal with this conflict with various skills, one of the most occurring is their quality of resilience. Laura Vermette demonstrates all the seven C’s of resilience - competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping and control - in her book, The Break, through different characters and situations while showing how individuals would be unable to survive and grow without resilience.

Competence is the ability to handle stressful situations effectively. Paulina shows competence the minute her daughter is brought into

As soon as the assault that Stella witnessed out of her window, she calls the police. She was too in shock and scared to go check on the girl or to try and catch the assaulters, but she contributed by contacting the police immediately. Even though the police barely acknowledge her and question her sense of judgement, she continues to give them all the information she had seen and heard outside her window in hopes she could help the small women who were the victim. When Stella found out the victim had been her niece, she finds her self-worth within herself which is confidence in the seven C’s of resilience. Character means enjoying and recognizing a strong sense of self-worth, one who is in touch with their values and demonstrates a caring attitude to those around them. Stella had not visited her family since she and her husband moved houses across town because her husband was not comfortable with Stella going to what he considered a sketchier part of town. Stella recognizes that she can make her own decisions though, and that family is a huge part of her life she had been missing so despite what her husband says, she goes to visit her family. Once she arrives she calls her husband and tells him, “Jeff, I’m at Kookoo’s and we’re going to stay here” (Vermette 207). Stella finally recognizes and allows herself to do what is best for her, being with and taking care of her family, and she finally regains her self-worth. Lastly, Stella shows the act of control which is knowing you have the power of your actions and decisions. While waiting for the police to arrive at her house on the night of the assault, Stella decided to clean her house, having everything spotless and in its place by the time the police arrived. Days after the assault and visit of the police Stella continues to clean her house even though it is not necessary, but the knows it is one of the only things she has