Combating Trauma Through a Family Approach in Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You

Abstract

The novel Everything I Never Told You by contemporary Chinese-American author Celeste Ng portrays the challenges faced by a cross-cultural family consisting of James Lee, a Chinese-American university professor, and his white wife Marilyn, in 1970s America. She explores the intergenerational trauma caused by cultural conflicts. Centered around the death of their daughter Lydia, the novel delves into the intergenerational trauma experienced by the members of this cross-cultural family due to familial and societal conflicts. It also depicts how the family members rebuild trust, reconcile with each other, and heal from their trauma. Through this portrayal, the novel highlights the pressing need, amidst cultural clashes and social transformations, to embrace an inclusive and forward-looking perspective to embrace and adapt to the transformative changes.