On Trauma and Troubled Psyches in Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child (2015)

Abstract

The intricate dynamics surrounding the intertwining of trauma and troubled psyches have captivated scholarly attention, offering a rich terrain for exploration within Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child. This dissertation unveils the complex interplay between psychological turmoil and the healing process. This study seeks to unravel the evolutionary trajectory of trauma, its multifaceted portrayal both within individual experiences and in collective narratives within the novel, and the subsequent examination of the nexus between trauma and troubled psyches. Moreover, it strives to illuminate the underlying themes of resilience and transformative healing journeys that permeate Morrison's narrative. By delving into the evocative prose of the novel, this dissertation seeks to uncover the long-lasting effects of trauma on the characters’ psychological well-being, while emphasizing humanity’s profound ability to recover. To achieve this goal, the research employs a psychoanalytical approach rooted in the concepts of Sigmund Freud to analyze the depiction of trauma. and its effects on troubled psyches in Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child. Ultimately, this research serves as a testament to the enduring narrative potency of Toni Morrison’s literary oeuvre and its ability to shed light on the timeless and universal intricacies of trauma and troubled psyches