Abstract
Narratives of traumatized women form the structural
foundation of Paradise _ those who are violated not by the
Whites, but by the men of an all-black town of a newly
established paradisal community. An idealized version of social
order collapses in its aspiration to regulate and command
human behaviour. The resultant experience of gendered trauma
is exhaustively illustrated as Morrison cultivates the narrative in
lingering traumatic memories. It will be demonstrated how
Connie, who is perpetually traumatized by unusual experiences
of life is retraumatized from within, which eclipses the
possibility of promoting love for life. She wants to redeem
herself and other stigmatized women who are rescued by her.
They are encouraged by Connie’s compassion to tell their
collective narratives, establish their communion with each other
while compelling them to confront the self. This study highlights
the complexity of distress and recovery, proposing formulation
of valid and reliable support. Self-nurturing and compassionate
imagery can foster reconciliation with the traumatized part of
the self which can effectively diminish trauma-related feelings
like stress and anxiety.
Shamaila Dodhy. (2018) Framing Traumatic Life Experiences: Connie in Toni Morrison’s Paradise, Bazyaft, Vol 33, Issue 2.
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