From Trauma to Healing: Memory And Resilience in Contemporary Literature
Keywords:
Trauma; Memory; Healing; Resilience; Contemporary literature; Trauma narrativesAbstract
This study examined how contemporary literature represents trauma, memory, and healing, particularly through characters experiencing psychological suffering, loss, and social marginalization. The main objective was to identify how literary narratives articulate traumatic experiences and portray resilience as an integral part of the healing process. Drawing on trauma theory and memory studies, this research explored the dual function of memory as a source of pain and as a medium for identity reconstruction and emotional recovery. A qualitative descriptive method was applied, using textual analysis of selected contemporary literary works. Data were collected through close reading and interpreted through narrative structure, characterization, and representations of trauma and healing. The findings showed that trauma was predominantly depicted through fragmented memories, narrative silence, repetition, and disrupted chronology, which mirror the complexity of psychological wounds. Additionally, storytelling and remembrance emerged as key strategies for identity reconstruction and resilience building. The study also revealed that contemporary literature offers a narrative space for marginalized voices to articulate silenced experiences and negotiate personal and social healing. This study concludes that contemporary literary narratives not only reflect traumatic realities but also function as cultural tools for fostering empathy, resilience, and a deeper understanding of human recovery in modern society.
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