An Interpretation Of The Messiah Of Stockholm From The Perspective Of Trauma Theory

Cynthia Ozick (1928—), one of the most important Jewish American writers since1970s, is considered asthe spokesperson of contemporary Jews and Jewishness. Her works are acknowledged universally in Americanliterature. She is the recipient of numerous literary awards including O. Henry First Prize Award and theAmerican Academy of Arts Award for literature. The most valuable thing is that she insists on Jewish traditionand Judaism in her literature. Ozick is a big advocate of keeping Jewish uniqueness and believes in the covenantof the God. The Messiah of Stockholm is a popular novel of Ozick. Different from other works, which includethe only idol worship, Ozick stresses the Jewish identity in an alien environment.The thesis mainly employs trauma theory coupled with context perusal in analysis of protagonist’s traumaetiology, experiences, symptoms and memory and trauma recovery, exposing the enormous psychological traumathat the war brought to mankind, especially to the Jews and author’s deep thinking about life condition of theJews and humane care. During the process of analysis, the thesis also studies the protagonist’s quest for identity,which is caused by the Holocaust and identity crisis.Chapter One and Chapter Two have a brief introduction to Cynthia Ozick’ life and The Messiah ofStockholm, and concludes trauma theory to stress the significance of the study. Chapter Three concentrates onthe trauma theory and identity theory and explain why to exploit them. In Chapter Four, Chapter Five andChapter Six, it can be seen that the shadow of the Holocaust cannot be cast off. In addition, as the influence oftrauma and identity crisis, Lars is disappointed to the surroundings and starts his root-seeking. In conclusion, thehidden trauma experience in The Messiah of Stockholm has deep effect on Jews. In order to make sure selfidentity, Lars as a Jew must seek his father.Trauma has been popular in western public political discourse, humanistic care and historical cognition.Trauma fiction and the study of trauma theory boost the sense of trauma, and express humane care aboutdepressed and hidden groups. By the study of trauma, Lars’craziness in root-seeking is caused by individual andhistory trauma. From war trauma to identity crisis, Ozick directly demonstrates culture trauma experienced byJewish nation and then combines individual trauma with national trauma to concern with the Jewish culture andhistory.