Depression and human connection in Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove (2012)

Abstract

This study analyzes the portrayal of the protagonist in A Man Called Ove, a contemporary novel by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, focusing on how human connection plays a role in helping someone recover from depression. The story follows Ove, an elderly man who withdraws from others and attempts to take his own life after the loss of his beloved wife, believing that his life no longer has meaning. However, his plans are constantly interrupted by the arrival of his new neighbors, Parvaneh and her family. As their relationship slowly grows, Ove begins to open up and finds a new sense of purpose. This research uses a psychological approach, drawing on Abraham H. Maslow’s theory of human motivation, especially the third level in his Hierarchy of Needs: love and belongingness. Maslow explains that the need for connection and acceptance is essential for emotional well-being and personal growth. The data were collected through close reading of the novel, focusing on dialogues, descriptions, and events that reveal the protagonist’s psychological state and interpersonal relationships. These textual elements were then analyzed using Maslow’s concept of love and belongingness to interpret the character’s emotional development. Through this lens, the study explores how Ove’s journey from being depressed to becoming someone who appreciates his life reflects the importance of fulfilling social needs. In conclusion, this research shows that Backman successfully portrays how genuine relationships can help a person heal through the characterization of the protagonist he has created.