The poems presented in this paper demonstrate the presence of trauma in poetry through their use of stylistic devices, tone and atmosphere. Thus, this paper aims to invalidate and criticise Caruth’s approach to the unrepresentability of trauma by investigating three poems: two poems were written by war veterans, previously deployed in Afghanistan, and one was written by a veteran’s daughter to prove the literal representability of trauma. A close reading of the stylistic devices, tone and created atmosphere emphasises the possibilities that poets must present their trauma through literature. Lastly, the analysis of Olivia Hill’s poem reflects on the trauma perception from a different angle – namely, from outside the traumatised mind.
Additionally, it underscores the effects that parental traumatic experiences have on children. ‘Trauma forces the self into hiding, and while the sensory manifold keeps “recording” sights, sounds, smells and feelings, the brain fails to work them through. The videographer leaves, but the tape keeps running’. This image, provided by Boston University’s Joshua Pederson in his paper on challenging literary trauma theorists, reflects one perspective of the nature of trauma that is shared by many scholars and psychologists around the world. Cathy Caruth’s 1996 Unclaimed Experience and Trauma: Explorations in Memory present the essential elements of trauma discourse, heavily relying on Freudian theories.
Her definition of trauma is based on the claim that trauma victims suffer physical injury, followed by belated symptoms without causal relationship to the preceding injury that cannot be reconciled with one another. Caruth also emphasises the nature of traumatic recollection being ‘largely inaccessible to conscious recall and control’ because of its irrevocably damaging nature. Furthermore, the failure to combine the wish to understand past events relived through trauma and the inability to comprehend them underlines the linguistic abnormality of trauma.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Combat-Related Stress and Operation Herrick
- The Representation of Trauma in Poems by Major Hill and Captain Jeffrey
- The Dehumanising Nature of Trauma
- The Figurativeness of Trauma
- The Linguistic Quality of Trauma
- Traumatic Atmosphere
- Olivia Hill Trauma from an Outside Perspective
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to challenge Cathy Caruth's concept of the "unrepresentability of trauma" by analyzing contemporary British war poetry, specifically focusing on poems by veterans of Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. The analysis will examine the poems' stylistic devices, tone, and atmosphere to demonstrate the literal representability of trauma in poetry.
- The nature of trauma and its impact on individuals
- The representation of trauma in poetry
- The effectiveness of stylistic devices in conveying trauma
- The effects of parental trauma on children
- The challenge of Cathy Caruth's "unrepresentability claim"
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of trauma and the "unrepresentability claim" by Cathy Caruth, providing a foundation for the analysis of war poetry. It contrasts Caruth's perspective with alternative theories on trauma, emphasizing the importance of literary representation.
- Combat-Related Stress and Operation Herrick: This chapter explores the psychological impact of military combat, specifically focusing on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. It outlines the prevalence of mental disorders among war veterans, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms. The chapter sets the context for understanding the experiences of the poets analyzed in subsequent chapters.
- The Representation of Trauma in Poems by Major Hill and Captain Jeffrey: This chapter analyzes poems by Major Stewart Hill and Captain James Jeffrey, both veterans of Operation Herrick. The analysis focuses on the poems' stylistic devices, tone, and atmosphere to demonstrate how trauma is represented through poetic expression. This section contributes to the argument that trauma can be effectively portrayed through literature.
- The Dehumanising Nature of Trauma: This chapter delves into the dehumanizing nature of trauma, exploring its effects on individuals and their sense of self. It may analyze specific poems or literary examples to illustrate how trauma can distort perceptions and create a sense of alienation.
- The Figurativeness of Trauma: This chapter examines the use of figurative language and imagery in poetry to convey the complexities of trauma. It may focus on specific poetic techniques, such as metaphors, similes, and symbolism, to demonstrate how language can be used to represent the intangible aspects of trauma.
- The Linguistic Quality of Trauma: This chapter explores the linguistic qualities of trauma, examining how language can be both a tool for understanding and a barrier to expressing the experience. It may discuss the use of fragmented syntax, repetition, and other linguistic features to represent the disrupted state of mind following trauma.
- Traumatic Atmosphere: This chapter focuses on the creation of a traumatic atmosphere in poetry, analyzing the use of tone, imagery, and sensory details to evoke the psychological and emotional environment of trauma.
- Olivia Hill Trauma from an Outside Perspective: This chapter examines a poem by Olivia Hill, a veteran's daughter. The analysis explores the perspective of trauma from the outside, highlighting the impact of parental trauma on children.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this paper is on the representation of trauma in contemporary British war poetry. Key terms include: trauma, Operation Herrick, Afghanistan, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stylistic devices, tone, atmosphere, Cathy Caruth, "unrepresentability claim", poetic representation, and literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2021, Trauma in Poems of Major Stewart Hill and Captain James Jeffrey. An Attempt to Devitalise Cathy Caruth’s "Unrepresentability Claim", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1239698