Dysfunctional Family in The Novel “The Discomfort of Evening” (2020) by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld

This research explores the theme of a dysfunctional family in the novel The Discomfort of Evening (2020) by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld. The research focuses on the causes and the impacts of dysfunction family, particularly on the children. Through the Sigmund Freud’s theory of Mourning and Melancholia. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method to analyse how unresolved trauma, lack of emotional support, and communication breakdown contribute to the deterioration of family relationships. The results of this research reveals that some of the causes of the dysfunctional family are trauma, melancholia, overly religious belief systems, and isolated living areas. And the impacts of a dysfunctional family are relationship breakdown between family members and mental issues, especially in children. This literary research provides insight into the psychological consequences of dysfunctional families and ways to address grief healthily to prevent long-term emotional damage.