An Analysis Of Enduring Love From The Perspective Of Trauma Theory

Ian McEwan,one of the most influential writers of contemporary English literature,is often praised as the national novelist of England.Enduring Love is his sixth publication.Based on the theory of trauma,this thesis studies Enduring Love mainly from the perspective of individual trauma.With an exploration of causes of three protagonists’ trauma and detailed descriptions of their respective post-traumatic symptoms,the thesis discusses the possibility of each hero’s final recovery.On the basis of aforementioned analysis,this thesis concludes that Joe eventually works through trauma by means of helping others,telling trauma stories and rebuilding love relationship and personal identity.Clarissa is walking on the way to recover because she draws consolation from successful adoption.Since Jed is a sufferer of mental affliction as well as a man of religious fanaticism,he is hardly capable of recovering from his childhood trauma.Moreover,the purpose of McEwan’s writing of characters’ traumatic experiences is not to rehearse terrible traumatic scenes,not to imply social ills of the time,but to inquire into the possibility of traumatized victims’ eventual psychological recovery,indicating his pessimistic view and anxiety over their ultimate relief.