Representation of Maoist War in Wagle’s Palpasa Cafe

Abstract

This thesis explores the representation of the Maoist war in Narayan Wagle's Palpasa Cafe from the perspective of trauma studies. The research studies the process and the effect of the trauma in different social/cultural groups caused by the Maoist insurgency and the subsequent death and terror. The research uses the notion of cultural trauma discussed by Jeffrey C. Alexander. This study points out that the novel depicts the consequences of the war without trying to dig out the reasons for the conflict itself. Drishya’s trauma is depicted through several layers of his experiences and reflections, which bring profound change regarding his survivors’ guilt. The loss of Palpasa and the constant threat of violence lead to a sense of disillusionment in Drishya. His trauma is a complex interplay of personal loss, survivor guilt, allied dreams, and the broader context of political and social turmoil. So, it has strategically employed resourceful characters as carrier groups to create a discourse about the victim and the perpetrators, but it fails to present a balanced portrayal of the armed conflict in Nepal. Keywords: Insurgency, Trauma, Representation, Maoists, War, Crisis