An Interpretation Of The Main Characters' Growth In Where Angels Fear To Tread From The Perspective Of Trauma Theory

Where Angels Fear to Tread is one of the representative works of Edward Morgan Forster,who was a famous British novelist in the twentieth century.The publication of this novel soon aroused wide concern from readers and critics because of its attractive plots and distinct characters.Scholars at home and abroad have conducted abundant researches on this novel from the perspectives of writing techniques,theme,cultural criticism and psychological analysis.This thesis focuses on the interpretation of the main characters' growth in Where Angels Fear to Tread from the perspective of trauma theory.With the analysis of the main characters' traumatic symptoms,traumatic causes and trauma treatments,this thesis aims to disclose Forster's traumatic consciousness and his traumatic theme,to excavate the influence of trauma on the growth of characters and to emphasize the importance of trauma treatments,hoping to provide some enlightenment for modern people.The whole thesis is composed of six chapters.The first chapter includes the brief introduction of Forster and Where Angels Fear to Tread.With the review of relevant studies on his works both at home and abroad,this thesis puts forward the purpose and significance of this research.The second chapter concentrates on the theoretical framework,which consists of the definition and the development of trauma theory,and the application of trauma theory in literature is also discussed.The third chapter focuses on the main characters' traumatic symptoms from the perspectives of individual trauma and collective trauma.Traumatic symptoms are the physical and psychological stress responses to some extreme circumstances,which varies from person to person.From the perspective of individual trauma,traumatic symptoms include the avoidance and loneliness of Lilia,the guilt and constriction of Caroline,the depression and flashback of Philip,the hysteria and numbness of Gino.From the aspect of collective trauma,traumatic symptoms involve the dysphoria of British middle class and the inferiority of Italian lower class.The fourth chapter explores the traumatic causes.Through the analysis of the main characters' traumatic experience,this thesis finds that traumatic events which are irresistible should account for the individual trauma and that the influences of culture,history and environment are the main causes of collective trauma.In this novel,traumatic events include the unfortunate marriages of Lilia,the loss of important friends,the failed missions ofPhilip and the unexpected death of son.The trauma of British middle class arises from the restrictions of culture and social environment,and the trauma of Italian lower class also results from the influences of history and social environment.The fifth chapter focuses on the trauma treatments.By analyzing the main characters' recovery,this thesis finds that establishing the sense of safety,remembrance and mourning,reconnecting with ordinary life are the main trauma treatments which the main characters adopt to trauma.The sixth chapter is the conclusion part of the whole thesis.With the analysis of Where Angels Fear to Tread from the perspective of trauma theory,Forster's traumatic consciousness and traumatic theme are revealed.This thesis finally excavates the influences of trauma on the growth of characters,appealing for people's concern about trauma and emphasizing the importance of trauma treatments.