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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM44441
Volume:
9 |
4 |
Apr 2025
Pages:
1-9
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Applied Sciences & Humanities
IIMT College of Engineering, Greater Noida
Applied Sciences & Humanities
IIMT College of Engineering, Greater Noida
The intersection of memory and narrative, particularly in the context of trauma, has been a central concern for scholars across disciplines. Contemporary literature, with its ability to delve into the complexities of human experience, has emerged as a powerful tool for exploring the ways in which traumatic events shape individuals and societies. This article seeks to examine how contemporary authors utilize narrative techniques to represent trauma, exploring the interplay between memory, identity, and the construction of meaning. By analysing key works from the contemporary literary canon, we will delve into the complex relationship between trauma and narrative, considering themes of fragmentation, repetition, and the search for healing. Before delving into the literary representations of trauma, it is essential to consider the psychological nature of traumatic memory. Trauma, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), is "a psychological response to a distressing event that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope" (APA, 2022). Traumatic experiences can disrupt the normal processes of memory formation and retrieval, leading to a range of psychological symptoms, including flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance. One of the defining characteristics of traumatic memory is its tendency to be fragmented and intrusive. Unlike ordinary memories, which can be accessed voluntarily and integrated into a coherent narrative, traumatic memories often appear unexpectedly and involuntarily, often accompanied by intense emotional and physiological responses. This fragmentation can make it difficult for individuals to process and understand their traumatic experiences, leading to feelings of disorientation and alienation.
KEYWORDS
In conclusion, the exploration of memory and narrative in contemporary trauma literature reveals the transformative power of storytelling in addressing the complexities of human suffering. These works illuminate the multifaceted nature of trauma and its enduring impact, while also serving as a means of processing, understanding, and transcending it. By engaging with these narratives, readers are called to bear witness, foster empathy, and envision a more just and compassionate future, ultimately affirming the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring significance of memory in shaping our collective humanity.
· American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). · Sontag, S. (2003). On photography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. · Gilman, C. P. (1892). The yellow wallpaper. [Reprinted in The Norton anthology of American literature (Vol. 2, pp. 714–723)]. W. W. Norton & Company. · Morrison, T. (1987). Beloved. Alfred A. Knopf. · Hosseini, K. (2003). The kite runner. Viking. · Chbosky, S. (1999). The perks of being a wallflower. Penguin Books. · Atwood, M. (1985). The handmaid's tale. McClelland & Stewart. · Caruth, C. (1996). Unclaimed experience: Trauma, narrative, and history. Johns · Spiegelman, A. (1986). Maus. Pantheon. · Barnes, J. (2011). The sense of an ending. Jonathan Cape. · Nguyen, V. T. (2015). The sympathizer. Grove Press. · Ishiguro, K. (2005). Never let me go. Faber and Faber. · Wiesel, E. (1960). Night. Hill and Wang. · Adichie, C. N. (2006). Half of a yellow sun. Fourth Estate.
Publication Date
4/29/2025
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this research work.
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