A Study Of Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close From The Perspective Of Trauma Theory

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2005) is an example of Jonathan Safran Foer in contemporary American literature. Presented in the aftermath of 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001, the novel discloses various traumatic experiences in different times.Some critics both abroad and in China have taken great interests in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and made researches from different angles, such as 9/11 narrative techniques, Foer’s writing style-history and language, children’s perspective and interactive mosaics of narrative and poetics. Nevertheless, up till now only a few academic papers apply trauma theory to the analysis of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.Initially originating from psychology, in the 1990s trauma theory reached a prosperous period of its own development and extended its realm to sociology and literature. Its rising shifts people’s attention from what traumatic event has happened to how it has happened and made effect on individuals by providing a new perspective of conceptualizing trauma. Through adopting trauma theory, this thesis intends to expose the devastating effects on Schell family by proxy of these traumatic events and their different methods to reach reconciliation. Besides, it provides a new approach for the analysis of Foer’s works in China.This thesis consists of an introduction, three parts and a conclusion.Introduction is mainly about Foer’s achievements, the general information of trauma theory, its early and current development as well as a general literature review on Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.Chapter One emphasizes on Oskar’s psychological trauma after the loss of his father in 9/11 which involves him in some traumatic symptoms:repetition compulsion and affective disorder as well as the traumatic effect on him is revealed.Chapter Two analyzes Grandparents’traumatic memories who are both survivors of the Dresden firebombing. This war disaster results in an overwhelming long-lasting impact on their lives through exhibiting different traumatic symptoms. such as aphasia, melancholia and so on.Chapter Three explores Oskar and Grandparents’ struggle to walk out of psychological shadows and come to a final recovery. There are different methods taken by them to reach reconciliation including establishment of relationships with others, narration about trauma, enhancement of the link with family, etc.The last part points out the destructiveness that traumatic experience intends to produce on victims and draws the conclusion that once trauma happens inevitably, it would not fade away with time passing by, thus the best way is to confront and release it.