Empathy and the Phantasmic in Ethnic American Trauma Narratives

The book "Empathy and the Phantasmic in Ethnic American Trauma Narratives" explores a genre of ethnic American literature that uses the supernatural to connect readers to historical traumas, such as slavery and genocide, and encourages empathy and interracial alliances as restorative responses. It also functions as a cultural memory that provides a critical perspective on these traumas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Empathy and the Phantasmic in Ethnic American Trauma Narratives delves into a burgeoning literary genre known as phantasmic trauma narratives, which harness culturally specific supernatural elements to engage readers with historical traumas like slavery and genocide. By integrating trauma theory and employing an ethnic studies approach, this book explores how phantasmic novels and films portray historical trauma, aiming to evoke empathy for the cultural groups represented. Moreover, it argues that these texts offer models of interracial alliances to promote contemporary cross-cultural engagement as a healing response to historical wounds. Furthermore, the author examines how these narratives serve as sites of cultural memory, offering a critical perspective on the magnitude of enslavement, genocide, and dispossession.

Introduction:
Ethnic American trauma narratives have emerged as a powerful form of literature and film that explore the impact of historical traumas on marginalized communities. These narratives utilize culturally specific modes of the supernatural to connect readers to the historical events that have shaped their lives. In this essay, we will examine the role of empathy and the phantasmic in these trauma narratives, exploring how they facilitate the exploration of historical trauma and encourage cross-cultural engagement.
Empathy and the Phantasmic in Ethnic American Trauma Narratives:
Empathy is a crucial component of trauma narratives, as it allows readers and viewers to understand and connect with the experiences of others. Phantasmic elements, such as ghosts, spirits, and other supernatural beings, are often used in these narratives to evoke empathy and create a sense of shared experience. By presenting historical trauma through the lens of the supernatural, these narratives can make it more accessible and relatable to a broader audience.
One example of a phantasmic trauma narrative is the film "Get Out," which explores the experiences of African Americans in a predominantly white society. The film uses supernatural elements, such as the appearance of a mysterious creature, to evoke empathy for the protagonist's experiences of racism and discrimination. By presenting these experiences in a supernatural context, the film allows viewers to see the impact of these traumas on a personal level and to understand the complexities of interracial relationships.
Another example is the novel "The Color Purple," which explores the experiences of African American women in the American South during the 20th century. The novel utilizes supernatural elements, such as the appearance of a magical creature, to evoke empathy for the protagonist's experiences of abuse and oppression. By presenting these experiences in a supernatural context, the novel allows readers to see the impact of these traumas on a cultural level and to understand the complexities of gender and race relations in the United States.
The Role of the Phantasmic in Cultural Memory:
The phantasmic also plays a role in cultural memory, as it allows individuals and communities to remember and honor the experiences of those who have been marginalized or oppressed. By presenting historical trauma through the lens of the supernatural, these narratives can create a sense of continuity and connection between past and present, and can help to preserve the memory of historical events.
One example of the use of the phantasmic in cultural memory is the film "Selma," which explores the experiences of African Americans in the civil rights movement in the United States. The film utilizes supernatural elements, such as the appearance of a mystical figure, to evoke empathy for the protagonist's experiences of racism and discrimination. By presenting these experiences in a supernatural context, the film allows viewers to see the impact of these traumas on a historical level and to understand the importance of the civil rights movement in shaping American society.
Another example is the novel "The Help," which explores the experiences of African American maids in the American South during the 20th century. The novel utilizes supernatural elements, such as the appearance of a ghostly figure, to evoke empathy for the protagonist's experiences of abuse and oppression. By presenting these experiences in a supernatural context, the novel allows readers to see the impact of these traumas on a cultural level and to understand the importance of the civil rights movement in shaping American society.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, empathy and the phantasmic play a crucial role in ethnic American trauma narratives, as they allow readers and viewers to understand and connect with the experiences of others. By utilizing culturally specific supernatural elements, these narratives can evoke empathy and create a sense of shared experience, making historical trauma more accessible and relatable to a broader audience. Moreover, the phantasmic also plays a role in cultural memory, as it allows individuals and communities to remember and honor the experiences of those who have been marginalized or oppressed. By presenting historical trauma through the lens of the supernatural, these narratives can create a sense of continuity and connection between past and present, and can help to preserve the memory of historical events.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 220 x 152 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498583855