Journey Through Adversity: Analysing Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain as a trauma narrative

Authors

  • S.Asmathu Nisha PG & Research Department of English, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous),Tiruchirappalli – 620020
  • S. Peerani PG & Research Department of English, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous),Tiruchirappalli – 620020

Keywords:

Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain, Trauma narrative, addiction, bad parenting, sexual identity crisis, resilience, enduring love.

Abstract

This paper analyses Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain as a trauma narrative. Shuggie Bain is the debut novel by Douglas Stuart, which was awarded the Booker Prize in 2020. The alcoholic mother and her children face complexities, especially Shuggie. He faces trauma due to bad parenting and endures physical suffering because of his sexual identity crisis. The raw emotions of the characters reflect deep understanding of the human struggles. This narrative not only portrays the harsh realities of addiction and poverty but also explores the lasting impact of trauma on individuals and their ability to find hope in difficult situations. This study is based on the personal as well as collective trauma of the characters. Shuggie reflects hope in hard times and enduring power of love despite the harsh realities of his surroundings. This novel is marked by sorrow and strength, potraying Shuggie’s unwavering love for his mother.

References

Douglas Stuart Shuggie Bain. (n.d.). Douglas Stuart. https://www.douglasdstuart.com/

Self J (2020) Douglas Stuart on writing Shuggie Bain: ‘it was a difficult process’. [Online] Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/douglas-stuart-on-writing-shuggie-bain-it-was-a-difficult-process-1.4417013 (Accessed 17 October 2021).

Morace, Robert. “Historicizing Shuggie Bain’s Reception.” The Bottle Imp 8B (2022). Available from https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2022/06/historicizing-shuggie-bains-reception/.

Published

2024-09-13

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2024): Jamal Academic Research Journal-An Interdisciplinary (JARJ)

Section

Articles

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