Echoes Of Pain: Intergenerational Trauma In Vijay’s The Far Field

Abstract

The dominant focus on Euro-American perspectives has overshadowed the global resonance of trauma studies, particularly in regions like Kashmir, a conflict-ridden area in South Asia. This study seeks to redress this imbalance by examining the experiences of trauma among Kashmiris, who have faced continuous political turbulence and militarization since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The enduring conflict between India and Pakistan has deeply affected the Kashmiri community, rendering it susceptible to profound and pervasive traumatic experiences. Despite the significant nature of these traumas, scholarly attention to the narratives emerging from Kashmir has been limited. This study aims to bring these accounts to the forefront, providing a truthful depiction of Kashmiri experiences. Focusing on the intricate transmission of intergenerational trauma, this study explores the legacy of violence and its impact on both the descendants of perpetrators and victims. Vijay’s The Far Field (2019) serves as a critical case study, illustrating the perilous temporal connections between past and present. The characters in the novel grapple with harrowing memories and the inability to reclaim the past, which perpetuates the haunting legacy of national trauma. Guided by psychoanalytical frameworks from Gabriele Schwab (2010) and Ilany Kogan (1995), the study unravels the mechanisms of trauma transference across generations. By highlighting the multifaceted dynamics of trauma perpetuation, this study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of trauma’s global dimensions and to amplify the underrepresented voices of the Kashmiri people.