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A Review of Literary Trauma Theory: Past, Present and Reflection

Zhao Xuemei   

  1. the School of Humanities, Guangzhou University
  • Online:2019-01-25 Published:2019-04-29
  • About author:Zhao Xuemei, Ph. D., is a lecturer in the School of Humanities, Guangzhou University. Her academic interest is Western literary theory and criticism.
  • Supported by:
    MOE (Ministry of Education in China) Project of Humanities and Social Sciences (17YJC751054)

Abstract: In recent years, trauma studies as an important hotspot of humanities has attracted increasing attention from Chinese academia. As far as trauma studies in the field of literature is concerned, there are mainly two problems. Firstly, researchers have focused more on textual criticism of trauma literature, which has led to a lag in theoretical exploration. Most existing studies are based on trauma theory's disciplinary foundation of psychology and psychiatry, lacking necessary literary perspectives as a reference. Secondly, the historical and cultural context in which the concept of trauma emerges represents its inherent western characteristics and implies its research object. However, this fact has long been neglected. In view of this, from the perspective of literature and culture, this article discusses trauma studies in literature, especially literary trauma theory, by reviewing its history and current situation, and reflecting on its problems and shortcomings, in an attempt to promote studies in literary trauma theory in China.

Key words: literary trauma theory, deconstructivism, classic patterns of trauma, cultural trauma