Trauma Narrative Study In Netherland

Joseph O’Neill,(1964-)is a famous Irish writer.His third novel Netherland,published in 2008,has been widely acclaimed as the wisest,angriest,most accurate and bleakest novel about New York and London since the fall of the World Trade Center.The novel focuses on the traumatic experiences and healing of a family living in New York after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.It reveals the meaning of life through fragmentary memories,reflects on life,self and identity,and expresses concern for life.There are rare studies from the perspective of trauma narrative,mostly from the redemption of trauma,personal growth,family ethics and postcolonialism etc.This paper uses narratology and trauma theory to make detailed analysis of Netherland to show the trauma experiences of 9/11,trauma narration and healing of trauma in the novel.It also shows the redemption of trauma and the true meaning of life through the unique narration in this novel.Trauma theory emerged in the United States in the early 1990 s and has become an important theory across disciplines and research fields.The combination of trauma theory and narratology can help us re-examine this work and provide a unique interpretation for the analysis of Netherland.This paper is divided into five chapters.The first chapter is the introduction,which introduces the life of Joseph O’Neill and the main contents of the novel,and the previous researches at home and abroad on Netherland,the significance of the study and the framework.The second chapter introduces the origin and development of trauma theory,as well as the significance and development of trauma novel and trauma narrative,which provides the theoretical basis for this paper.The third chapter analyzes the unique narrative techniques and means in Netherland to study the trauma of characters.Traumatic events may result in a complete breakdown of understanding,but post traumatic stress disorder can occur in the form of intrusive thoughts,nightmares,or flashbacks.Netherland is a trauma fiction,in which the characters are9/11 survivors.The author uses narrative techniques and structures to describe the traumatic responses of the protagnist,Hans,and his family.The fourth chapter discusses the traumatized subject’s healing of trauma.The characters finally face the trauma,reconcile with the past,step out from trauma,and finally regain confidence towards life.The fifth chapter is the conclusion,to make a summary of the trauma narrative in Netherland.Joseph O’Neill presents the trauma experience,trauma narrative and trauma redemption by unique literary narrative strategies.He also expresses complaints about terrorist events,as well as the humanistic care for the 9 /11 traumatized victims.