Crafting Global Health Narratives: Pandemic Discourses and Power in Lawrence Wright’s The End of October

Abstract

People in the contemporary world deal with various pandemic outbreaks that profoundly affect our quality of life. Past pandemics such as COVID-19, Spanish flu, the plague etc have impacted many people’s lives where the world was not prepared for tackling such diseases with the medicines influenced by the Westerners which further pushed them towards mortality. Moreover, the other regions and Central Asians date back to their traditional way of curing diseases and suppressing the influence of disastrous pandemics. This study explores how narratives surrounding pandemics shape public perception and health responses, often leading to the marginalization of indigenous practices. Lawrence Wright’s novel “The End of October” provides a compelling framework to examine the pandemic experience, focusing on the origins and societal implications of a fictional virus. The depiction of the “Kongoli flu” outbreak in America highlights the complex political and cultural dynamics of quarantine measures and public response. Moreover, this analysis emphasizes the need for an inclusive approach to health narratives, advocating for a recognition of diverse medical practices that can enrich global health strategies. By integrating various cultural perspectives, this study fosters more effective and compassionate responses to future health crises.