Exploring Trauma in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Normal People: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Normal People by Sally Rooney contain some of the most intricate explorations of psychological trauma and emotional healing in recent literary fiction. Both authors explore how unresolved emotional pain impacts the formation of one's sense of self, relations with others, and self-perception. In this paper, the issue of trauma is explored in terms of how it is represented in the two novels through the examples of the characters of Charlie, Marianne, and Connell, paying particular attention to the role of memory, repression, emotional vulnerability, and healing. With the use of trauma theory as well as the theories of Cathy Caruth, Judith Herman, and Bessel van der Kolk, the paper demonstrates the destructive impact that trauma can have on one's identity and communication skills. At the same time, the paper shows that trauma highlights the importance of empathy, therapy, and human connections during emotional healing. The paper will further explore the social aspects of trauma as reflected in novels, such as issues of gender, class, and mental health.