Integrating Theoretical Framework for Bullying and Peer Harassment: An Investigative Study of the Bullying Phenomenon in David Mitchell's Black Swan Green

Abstract

The concept of bullying has become a common phenomenon in recent times and one of the most important and attractive subjects in many countries. It draws the attention of many scholars and researchers, whether psychologists or socialists, due to its abnormal increase, especially with the development of social media, as well as its bad effects on children and teenagers. Hence, bullying is more than a binary issue between bullies and victims, it is known as a category phenomenon, as it appears in a social context where many elements tend to develop, maintain or limit such behavior. Bullying is worthy to be studied in order to show its egregious effect on society. The current study is concerned with investigating and studying the bullying problem in the light of the ecological system and self-esteem theory. It endeavors to reflect the dangerous consequences of the bullying phenomenon and peers' harassment on children and teenagers through the novel, Black Swan Green by David Mitchell 2006. The main character has been bullied and harassed by his schoolmates, and he has been affected profoundly by his early childhood and environment.