Intersectional Trauma in American Women Writers' Incest Novels from the 1990s

This book explores the intersections of sexualized,gendered,and racialized traumas in five US novels about father-daughter incest from the 1990s, arguing that individual trauma must be understood in relation to histories of and present collective wounding against marginalized communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 225 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the intricate intersections of sexualized, gendered, and racialized traumas in a selection of five US novels that explore the theme of father-daughter incest from the 1990s. It examines how incest can be linked to broader historical and present-day structural oppression and institutional abuse, as well as the ways in which fiction can testify against and reference a historical background of slavery, poverty, settler colonialism, annexation, and immigration. Through an in-depth investigation of the resistance strategies employed against attempts to silence and deny these narratives, the book also showcases how contemporary women's novels can propose social change.

Moreover, this study makes a unique argument that the individual trauma of incest in these texts must be understood in the context of histories of and ongoing collective wounding against marginalized communities. By situating itself at the crossroads of trauma theory and US third-world feminism, the book facilitates a meeting point for theory and literary activism.

In the first chapter, the book establishes a theoretical framework by drawing upon trauma theory and postcolonialism to analyze the representation of incest in these novels. It explores how the trauma of incest is intertwined with broader social and political structures, such as race, class, and gender, and how it manifests in the bodies and experiences of the characters. The chapter also highlights the ways in which these novels challenge traditional narratives of incest and offer alternative perspectives on the complexities of familial relationships.

The second chapter focuses on a specific novel, "The Color Purple," by Alice Walker, and examines how it explores the intersection of sexualized, gendered, and racialized traumas. The book analyzes the ways in which the protagonist, Celie, experiences incest and sexual abuse, and how these traumas shape her identity and relationships with others. It also explores the broader social and political context in which Celie's experiences occur, including the history of slavery and the struggles of African American women in the United States.

The third chapter examines another novel, "The God of Small Things," by Arundhati Roy, and explores how it addresses the theme of father-daughter incest from a postcolonial perspective. The book analyzes the ways in which the protagonist, Estha, experiences incest and its impact on her relationship with her father and her sense of self. It also examines the broader social and political context in which Estha's experiences occur, including the history of colonization and the struggles of Indian women in India.

The fourth chapter examines a novel, "The House on Mango Street," by Sandra Cisneros, and explores how it addresses the theme of father-daughter incest from a Chicana feminist perspective. The book analyzes the ways in which the protagonist, Esperanza, experiences incest and its impact on her relationships with her family and her sense of self. It also examines the broader social and political context in which Esperanza's experiences occur, including the history of Mexican immigration and the struggles of Mexican American women in the United States.

The fifth chapter examines a novel, "Beloved," by Toni Morrison, and explores how it addresses the theme of father-daughter incest from a postcolonial and African American perspective. The book analyzes the ways in which the protagonist, Sethe, experiences incest and its impact on her relationships with her family and her sense of self. It also examines the broader social and political context in which Sethe's experiences occur, including the history of slavery and the struggles of African American women in the United States.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of the intersections of sexualized, gendered, and racialized traumas in five US novels about father-daughter incest from the 1990s. It demonstrates how these novels can be used as a tool for social change by challenging traditional narratives of incest and offering alternative perspectives on familial relationships. By situating itself at the crossroads.

Weight: 313g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030966218
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022