TRAUMA AND IDENTITY IN ALICE WALKER'S THE COLOR PURPLE
AND TONI MORRISON'S SULA Cover Image

TRAUMA AND IDENTITY IN ALICE WALKER'S THE COLOR PURPLE AND TONI MORRISON'S SULA
TRAUMA AND IDENTITY IN ALICE WALKER'S THE COLOR PURPLE AND TONI MORRISON'S SULA

Author(s): Ayad A.Abood Al - Saymary
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature
Published by: Editura Universitară & ADI Publication
Keywords: Trauma; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); identity; group identity; in-group; out-group;

Summary/Abstract: The present study explores the relationship of trauma to identity, with some reference to eco-consciousness, in African-American Literature. The literary texts chosen for analysis are Alice Walker's "The Color Purple and Toni Morrison's "Sula". The study begins with defining trauma, identity, and eco-consciousness and then analyzes the two novels accordingly. The study assumes that, more often than not, traumatic experiences have a negative effect on the identity of the traumatized persons. In some particular situations, a traumatic event may have a positive effect on the traumatized person and hence strengthens him/her. It all depends on the identity of the person before and after the experience. The relationship of trauma to identity is reciprocal in the sense that trauma can affect and shape an individual's identity and that an identity can be redefined after a traumatic experience. Learning how to cope with trauma rather than being overwhelmed by it is one of the options that some of Walker’s and Morrison’s “strong” characters are faced with.

  • Issue Year: 8/2019
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 4 - 11
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: English
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