Trauma and Working Through in Gayl Jones's Corregidora and Joy Kogawa's Obasan

Bc. Judita Minczingerová

Master's thesis

Anotácia:

This thesis analyzes the manifestations of trauma and the process of working through in two novels: Corregidora by the African American writer Gayl Jones, and Obasan by the Japanese Canadian author Joy Kogawa. It argues that both novels work against a collective amnesia by representing traumatic experiences and their impact on individuals and communities, thus dealing with historical issues that many people believe to be a matter of a long forgotten past. Furthermore, the analysis of the two novels suggests a model of engaging with trauma that seeks to work through the overwhelming events – a process which involves acknowledging and transforming the legacy of trauma while trying to leave its debilitating effects behind. The thesis thus focuses on how the two protagonists and their respective communities come to terms with the shattering experiences by which they are deeply marked.

Abstract:

This thesis analyzes the manifestations of trauma and the process of working through in two novels: Corregidora by the African American writer Gayl Jones, and Obasan by the Japanese Canadian author Joy Kogawa. It argues that both novels work against a collective amnesia by representing traumatic experiences and their impact on individuals and communities, thus dealing with historical issues that many people believe to be a matter of a long forgotten past. Furthermore, the analysis of the two novels suggests a model of engaging with trauma that seeks to work through the overwhelming events – a process which involves acknowledging and transforming the legacy of trauma while trying to leave its debilitating effects behind. The thesis thus focuses on how the two protagonists and their respective communities come to terms with the shattering experiences by which they are deeply marked.

Keywords

trauma, working through, Gayl Jones, Joy Kogawa

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 4. 2009

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 18. 6. 2009
• Vedúci: Mgr. et Mgr. Kateřina Prajznerová, M.A.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / odbor:
Philology / English Language and Literature