From Warfare Zones to Word Zones: Studying the Contagious Power of Trauma in Fiction, with Emphasis on Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25130/Lang.9.2.10Keywords:
Contagious, Trauma, Society, Inner Thoughts, War impactAbstract
This study examines the connection between Virginia Woolf’s personal traumatic experiences and the depiction of trauma in Mrs. Dalloway, focusing on the concept of trauma contagion. Trauma is typically defined as an experience that overwhelms psychological stability and is often accompanied by symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviors. Woolf portrays trauma as a deeply rooted affliction that extends beyond individuals to families and society. This analysis contributes to existing literature by exploring Septimus Smith’s character, whose suffering reflects the psychological wounds of World War I. His portrayal highlights the connection between trauma and mental illness, emphasizing its lasting consequences. Drawing from her own experiences, Woolf profoundly conveys psychological suffering, reminding readers of the widespread impact of violence. The study argues that Woolf’s intention was not merely to depict postwar psychological trauma realistically but also to critique its consequences through satire. By analyzing the novel’s context, it becomes evident that Mrs. Dalloway serves as both a representation and a critique of trauma’s pervasive effects on individuals and society.
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