This paper analyzes Patricia McCormick's novel "Sold" to explore how it captures the experiences of trauma resulting from human trafficking. The paper examines the novel's narrative techniques, the protagonist Lakshmi's emotional journey, and the creation of reader empathy. It demonstrates how "Sold" fulfills the key functions of a trauma narrative.
For the analysis part, this paper examines which functions of Laurie Vickroy’s theory of trauma narratives Patricia McCormick fulfills in her novel Sold. During the course, the role of Lakshmi’s language, which reveals the development of her thoughts and feelings, the impact of people accompanying her on her journey, as well as the aspect of creating reader empathy, will shape the discourse. Weighing everything up, the paper will arrive at a conclusion. In so doing, the overall purpose is to prove that Sold fulfills all of the three main functions of a trauma narrative by Laurie Vickroy because other characters either enhance or reduce the traumatic experience, Lakshmi's trauma is dependent on numerous aspects that interplay during the novel, and the reader is bound to the traumatic experience.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background / Theory Chapter
3. Analysis
3.1 The influences of the other characters on Lakshmi’s trauma
3.2 How the narrative structure reveals the dynamic of the trauma process and creates reader empathy
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives & Topics
This paper examines how the novel "Sold" by Patricia McCormick utilizes specific narrative techniques and functions to depict the trauma of a victim of human trafficking, analyzed through the framework of Laurie Vickroy’s literary trauma theory. The research investigates the impact of social relations and the development of the protagonist's consciousness to ultimately determine how these factors contribute to the reader's empathic engagement with the story.
- Analysis of the impact of secondary characters on the protagonist's trauma.
- Application of Laurie Vickroy’s trauma narrative theory to "Sold".
- Examination of narrative structure, linguistic style, and stream of consciousness.
- Exploring the role of empathy in trauma literature and reader response.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The influences of other character’s on Lakshmi’s trauma
Firstly, the influences of other characters are in focus due to their strong tie to Lakshmi’s physical and mental health. For Lakshmi her mother Ama is a reason to strive for because the girl wants to afford her a tin roof and regains energy, when she thinks about being back with Ama. Surely, Ama is a role-model for Lakshmi. She encourages her to go to school and rebels against the patriarchic structures because she pulls out maize and a cigarette from the stepfather (McCormick 1, 27). At this moment, the girl and the woman are so uplifted and fortified that they fantasise about luxuries although their family lives in poverty (27-9). They long for freedom. Lakshmi “see[s], in that moment, the mischievous girl [Ama] was at [her] age” (27). Uncountable circumstances play together when it comes to the causes of trauma. In rural Nepal those overwhelmingly are caste and gender, where girls and women are neglected, even thou women are in the process of gaining economic power (Cameron 215). Since this, gender and caste are empathised in the Nepalese society to a questionable extent. Ama and Lakshmi thereby can be categorised as so - called “untouchable women [serving] as handmaidens” (215). McCormick thus fulfills one of the functions of trauma narratives elaborated by Vickroy: she thematises an imbalance of power, here between men and women, which is rooted so deeply that Lakshmi barely notices it, but is strongly struggling with it and questioning it (Voices of Survivors 132-3).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the harrowing nature of the novel "Sold" and establishes the research goal of analyzing its narrative functions through Laurie Vickroy’s trauma theory.
2. Background / Theory Chapter: Provides context on human trafficking from Nepal to India and introduces the theoretical framework regarding trauma narratives and individual survival.
3. Analysis: Explores how characters like Ama, Mumtaz, Shahanna, and Harish impact Lakshmi’s trauma, and examines how narrative structure and language reveal trauma processes.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes that "Sold" effectively fulfills Vickroy’s functions of a trauma narrative by showing the unique and interdependent nature of Lakshmi’s experience.
Keywords
Human Trafficking, Sold, Patricia McCormick, Laurie Vickroy, Trauma Narrative, Nepal, India, Sexual Slavery, Empathy, Narrative Structure, Consciousness, Recovery, Social Oppression, Victimization, Literary Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis explores the representation of trauma in Patricia McCormick’s novel "Sold", focusing on the experiences of a young Nepali girl who becomes a victim of human trafficking.
What are the primary themes addressed in the work?
Key themes include the impact of gender and caste on vulnerability, the psychological effects of systemic oppression, the role of social networks in survival, and the narrative construction of trauma.
What is the fundamental research question?
The paper asks how Patricia McCormick fulfills the functions of a trauma narrative as defined by theorist Laurie Vickroy, and how the narrative structure facilitates reader empathy.
Which theoretical approach is applied?
The author uses Laurie Vickroy’s theory of trauma narratives and concepts from Literary Studies experts like Martina Kopf and Suzanne Keen to analyze the text.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The analysis is divided into investigating the influence of other characters on the protagonist's mental health and examining how narrative techniques reveal the chaos of the trauma process.
Which keywords categorize this study?
Significant keywords include human trafficking, trauma narrative, Patricia McCormick, Laurie Vickroy, and narrative empathy.
How does the author characterize Lakshmi’s coping mechanism?
The paper argues that Lakshmi is initially conflict-averse and unaware of injustices but gradually gains consciousness through her environment and friendships, which she uses to navigate her trauma.
Why is the "dialogic form" significant to the analysis?
The dialogic form highlights the polyphonic nature of the novel, where contrasting perspectives and power imbalances demonstrate the stark gap between the traffickers' understanding and Lakshmi’s initial struggle to comprehend her situation.
- Citar trabajo
- Lisa Thöne (Autor), 2020, Trauma Narration in Patricia McCormick’s Novel "Sold". The Impact of Human Trafficking, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1477005
