1.3.2 Significance of the Study……………………………………………………………….. 5

 

1.3.3 Purpose of the Study………………………………………………………………………. 6

 

1.3.4 Research Questions……………………………………………………………………….. 7

 

1.4 Review of Literature……………………………………………………………………………….. 8

 

1.5 Materials and Methodology…………………………………………………………………… 11

 

1.5.1 Definition of Key Terms……………………………………………………………….. 11

 

1.5.2 Motivation and Delimitation…………………………………………………………. 12

 

1.6 Organization of the Study………………………………………………………………………. 13

 

Chapter Two: Trauma Theory: A Critical Introduction …………………………. 14

 

2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

 

2.2 Trauma: Definitions and Sub-Categories……………………………………………….. 15

 

2.3 Dimensions and Personality Factors………………………………………………………. 18

 

2.4 Traumatic Experiences: Historical Accounts…………………………………………. 20

 

2.4.1 Diaries …………………………………………………………………………………………. 20

 

2.4.2 Railway Spine ………………………………………………………………………………. 21

 

2.4.3 War ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 22

 

2.5 Trauma Theory: Influential Figures ………………………………………………………. 24

 

2.5.1 Sigmund Freud……………………………………………………………………………… 24

 

2.5.2 Mardi Horowitz…………………………………………………………………………….. 27

 

2.5.3 Judith Herman ……………………………………………………………………………… 28

 

2.5.3.1 Hyperarousal, Intrusion and Constriction: Symptoms of
Traum……………………………………………………………………………….. 30

 

2.5.3.2 The Dialectic of Trauma ……………………………………………………… 32

 

2.5.3.3 Stages of Recovery: Safety, Remembrance and Mourning, Reconnection  33

 

2.5.3.4 Resolving the Trauma …………………………………………………………. 40

 

2.6 Concluding Remarks …………………………………………………………………………….. 41

 

Chapter Three: A Psychoanalytical Reading of Slaughterhouse-Five: Traumatic Narrator and Traumatic Billy Pilgrims …………………………………………………………………………… 43

 

3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………… 44

 

3.2 Hyperarousal Elements: A Psychoanalytical Reading of Slaughterhouse- Five   45    

 

3.2.1 Traumatic Narrator……………………………………………………………………….. 45

 

3.2.1.1 The Narrator’s Difficulty to Fall Asleep………………………………. 45

 

3.2.1.2 The Narrator’s Difficulty of Concentration ………………………… 46

 

3.2.2 Traumatic Billy Pilgrim…………………………………………………………………. 47

 

3.2.2.1 Billy’s Difficulty to Fall Asleep ………………………………………….. 47

 

3.2.2.2 Billy’s Difficulty of Concentration …………………………………….. 49

 

3.3 Intrusion Elements: A Psychoanalytical Reading of Slaughterhouse-Five 51

 

 

3.3.1 Traumatic Narrator ………………………………………………………………………. 51

 

3.3.2 Traumatic Billy Pilgrim ………………………………………………………………… 53

 

3.4 Constriction Elements: A Psychoanalytical Reading of Slaughterhouse- Five  55

 

3.4.1 Traumatic Narrator……………………………………………………………………….. 56

 

3.4.1.1 The Narrator’s Inability to Recall Traumatic Events……………. 56

 

3.4.1.2 The Narrator’s Reluctance to Traumatic Memories……………… 56

 

3.4.1.3 The Narrator’s Tendency towards Alcohols………………………… 58

 

3.4.2 Traumatic Billy Pilgrim………………………………………………………………… 59

 

3.4.2.1 Billy’s State of Numbness …………………………………………………… 59

 

3.4.2.2 Billy’s Avoidance to Recall Traumatic Memories ………………. 61

 

3.4.2.3 Billy’s Tendency towards Alcohol………………………………………. 63

 

3.5 Concluding Remarks …………………………………………………………………………….. 64

 

Chapter Four: A Psychoanalytical Reading of Slaughterhouse-Five: Recovery of Billy Pilgrim and the Narrator………………………………………………………………………………………… 65

 

4.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 66

 

4.2 Recovery of Billy Pilgrim ……………………………………………………………………… 67

 

4.2.1 Establishing Safety for Billy Pilgrim…………………………………………….. 67

 

4.2.2 Remembrance and Mourning of Billy Pilgrim……………………………….. 72

 

4.2.3 Reconnection of Billy Pilgrim………………………………………………………. 76

 

4.3 Recovery of the Narrator ………………………………………………………………………. 80

 

4.3.1 Establishing Safety for the Narrator……………………………………………… 80

 

4.3.2 Remembrance and Mourning of the Narrator………………………………… 81

 

4.3.3 Reconnection of the Narrator……………………………………………………….. 83

 

4.4 Concluding Remarks……………………………………………………………………………… 85

 

Chapter Five: Discussions and Conclusion………………………………………………… 87

 

5.1 Summing up…………………………………………………………………………………………… 88

 

5.2 Findings…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 91

 

5.3 Suggestions for further Readings……………………………………………………………. 95

 

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 98