Gender trauma in jodi Picoults change of Heart

Abstract

This research explores gender trauma in Jodi Picoult's novel Change of Heart. Applying the concept of gender trauma discussed by Kali Tal in her book Worlds of Hurt: Reading the Literatures of Trauma, this research examines how the novelist, Picoult, narrates the serious problems of women spurred by sexual violence that eventually causes trauma in the victims. Revolving round two female characters June and Claire, this novel makes a case of women who get traumatized by the unpleasant and violent treatment of men. Sexual violence and murder on the one hand and the heart donation by the same perpetrator on the other create shock to these female characters. June and Claire feel some relief after sending Shay to the prison, but their trauma resurfaces when the murderer intends to donate his heart to the girl who is oscillating between life and death. Keywords: gender, trauma, abuse, violence, hurt, literature