Traumatic Experiences in Richard Bausch’sPeace

Abstract

The present research attempts to read Richard Bausch’sPeacerelying on trauma theory. The novel deals with necessary horrible experiences and events in the life of the characters. Marson, the central character, confronts with the horrible killing of an innocent woman that makes him shocked. The impression of the event is so deep in his mind that it regularly haunts him and changes his relation and perception of the world. Later with the happening of an event with great meaning to heal his sense of guilt, he goes through the process of recovery. In this way Bausch’s character are filled withthe accumulated pain of loss and loneliness, which is making them traumatized. They are also with passionate desire to wake up out of trauma and guilt. The setting and other environment presented in the novel supports perfectly the thematic issue of trauma in the novel. Therefore, the study statesPeaceas a narration of traumatic experiences of Bausch’s characters.