This thesis argues that three models of trauma theory, which include traditional
trauma theory, postcolonial trauma theory, and cultural trauma theory, must be joined to
fully understand the trauma experienced by African Americans within the novels Song of
Solomon by Toni Morrison and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. By
implementing these three theories, we can see how each novel’s main character is
exploring and learning about African American trauma and better understand how an
adjustment of space and time creates the possibility for the implementation of trauma
theory.
Each novel presents a journey, and it is through this movement through space that
each character can serve as a witness to African American trauma. This is done in
Morrison’s text by condensing the geographical space of the American north and south into one town, which serves to pluralize African American culture. In Whitehead’s text,
American history is removed from its chronological place, which creates a duality that
instills Freud’s theory of the uncanny within both the character and the reader. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_34584 |
| Contributors | Richmond, Samantha (author), Furman, Andrew (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 52 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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