Trauma of shared past in Avni Doshi’s Girl in White Cotton

Abstract

Voicing the unvoiced thoughts of the human psyche and human demeanour finds its appropriate representation in literature through explorative narratives. Literature represents an unsettling, tenebrous side of human existence that has been tainted by trauma and pain. The term “trauma” is derived from a Greek word which means "wound" or "infiltration." Trauma becomes a metaphor for the struggles and demanding situations of late-twentieth-century life in a society captivated by suffering and victimization. Literature plays an important part in depicting human experiences, emotions, and representations of conventional trauma tales. Motherhood is the most significant and heavenly duty in a woman's life. Throughout childhood, a child is constantly exposed to his or her surroundings, from which they acquire their first lessons. As a result, a mother's relationship with her child during childhood has a significant influence on the child's future behaviour. Trauma is a psychological wound inflicting the mind, causing long-term damaging effects. A child's trauma symbolises a multitude of circumstances, including abandonment and maltreatment. It had a bitter experience in its previous incarnation, that lasts for the rest of its life.