Dysfunctional Family vis-à-vis Personal Trauma: A Study of Ian McEvan’s Atonement

Abstract

Since Freud’s early concept of trauma, more specifically hysteria, has given rise to numerous, albeit diverse, theories. The common factor, however, in most of these is the hypothesis that trauma in any form disrupts, at least temporarily, the growth of the individual. Through an analysis of Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement this paper aims to explore how trauma within this text is represented, viewed and engaged as a result of dysfunctional families. In its broadest terms, trauma as explored within this will encompass personal trauma. By introducing the novel Atonement as a specimen this thesis focuses on the way the family dysfunctionality model is employed in it. The main aim of this paper is to find how the distorted family background often influences the character’s further development negatively and predestines them to fail in their own relationships.