Shattered Subjects: Trauma and Testimony in Womens Life-Writing ISBN-13: 9780274860210

ISBN-13: 9780274860210

Binding: Paperback

Author: Henke, S.

Details: Judith Herman has noted that the most common post-traumatic disorders are those not of men in war but of women in civilian life. How have women survived, both individually and collectively, in the face of unimaginable trauma? In this important new book, Suzette A. Henke finds evidence that women often use writing in order to heal the wounds of psychological trauma. The literary testimonies of Colette, Hilda Doolittle, AnaIs Nin, Janet Frame, Audre Lorde, and Sylvia Fraser provide startling evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder precipitated by rape, incest, childhood sexual abuse, grief, unwanted pregnancy, pregnancy-loss, or severe illness. Their writings are used as a means for survival and healing. Henke analyzes traumatic narrative as the focal point of a large body of autobiographical practice representing the genre of narrative recovery. Shattered Subjects suggests that the powerful medium of written autobiographical testimony may allow the resolution or reconfiguration of the most emotionally distressing experiences.

Release Date: 01-06-2000

Package Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches

Languages: English

Part Number: black & white illustrations

Edition: 1998

Number Of Pages: 238