Understanding the Wounded Wood: Using Naomi Novik’s Uprooted to Teach the Language of Mental Health and Trauma

Mgr. Juliána Pavlinská, PhD., Prešovská univerzita

Abstract:

With the rise of mental health issues and high stress in children and young teenagers, teachers may face the struggles of addressing these issues in a sensitive and practical manner while avoiding common triggers. This paper proposes using fantasy literature, specifically Naomi Novik’s acclaimed novel Uprooted, as a powerful pedagogical tool to help teach students the importance and the language of mental health. This paper offers a concise literary analysis of the novel, demonstrating how the Wood’s violent behaviours mirror recognised responses to deep trauma, and how the protagonist, through a journey of understanding and kindness, helps heal the root cause of these behaviours instead of addressing the behaviours alone or demonising them. It also offers ideas on practical classroom application by outlining how EFL/ESL teachers can use this allegory to build foundational vocabulary for emotions and mental health, model empathetic dialogue, and facilitate project-based learning activities. This paper outlines a proposed framework for educators to use literary allegory to foster mental health literacy, enrich their students’ language acquisition, and promote a classroom environment of empathy through the use of literature.

Keywords: Mental Health Literacy, Literature in Language Teaching, Trauma Allegory, Social-Emotional Learning, Naomi Novik