The Representation of War Trauma on Palestinian Families in Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin

Samet Guven

Article Details

The Representation of War Trauma on Palestinian Families in Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin

Authors:

Samet Guven

Publisher:

Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics:

Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal:

Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.135-149

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341351

pISSN:

2149-0767

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Susan Abulhawas Mornings in Jenin describes the war trauma experienced by Palestinian families. The novel deals with individual histories by focusing on historical events, and it depicts how trauma is inherited and transformed from one generation to another as time flows. The effect of war trauma shows itself in a variety of ways, such as physical and mental health problems, disordered family dynamics, and the attempt to maintain cultural identity despite external factors. In other words, Abulhawas work discovers the intergenerational effects of conflict, displacement, and loss on Palestinian societies and offers a distressing depiction of how war extends into every aspect of life. This study examines the psychological, emotional, and cultural consequences of trauma experienced by characters, especially women and children, in terms of continuing political violence. It also analyzes the novels narrative techniques, character development, and thematic concerns, and examines how Abulhawa expresses the lasting legacy of trauma, resilience, and the search for identity in the face of seemingly undefeatable harsh conditions. Moreover, Abulhawa benefits from the perception of exile to find out the psychological dimensions of war trauma since the characters displacement from their hometown produces a deep sense of displacement and alienation, which increases their trauma. From this perspective, the study aims to demonstrate how Abulhawa illuminates the complexities of war trauma of Palestinian families by highlighting the resilience, dignity, and enduring hope of those who live through it in her Mornings in Jenin.

 Susan Abulhawas Mornings in Jenin describes the war trauma experienced by Palestinian families. The novel deals with individual histories by focusing on historical events, and it depicts how trauma is inherited and transformed from one generation to another as time flows. The effect of war trauma shows itself in a variety of ways, such as physical and mental health problems, disordered family dynamics, and the attempt to maintain cultural identity despite external factors. In other words, Abulhawas work discovers the intergenerational effects of conflict, displacement, and loss on Palestinian societies and offers a distressing depiction of how war extends into every aspect of life. This study examines the psychological, emotional, and cultural consequences of trauma experienced by characters, especially women and children, in terms of continuing political violence. It also analyzes the novels narrative techniques, character development, and thematic concerns, and examines how Abulhawa expresses the lasting legacy of trauma, resilience, and the search for identity in the face of seemingly undefeatable harsh conditions. Moreover, Abulhawa benefits from the perception of exile to find out the psychological dimensions of war trauma since the characters displacement from their hometown produces a deep sense of displacement and alienation, which increases their trauma. From this perspective, the study aims to demonstrate how Abulhawa illuminates the complexities of war trauma of Palestinian families by highlighting the resilience, dignity, and enduring hope of those who live through it in her Mornings in Jenin.

 Susan Abulhawas Mornings in Jenin describes the war trauma experienced by Palestinian families. The novel deals with individual histories by focusing on historical events, and it depicts how trauma is inherited and transformed from one generation to another as time flows. The effect of war trauma shows itself in a variety of ways, such as physical and mental health problems, disordered family dynamics, and the attempt to maintain cultural identity despite external factors. In other words, Abulhawas work discovers the intergenerational effects of conflict, displacement, and loss on Palestinian societies and offers a distressing depiction of how war extends into every aspect of life. This study examines the psychological, emotional, and cultural consequences of trauma experienced by characters, especially women and children, in terms of continuing political violence. It also analyzes the novels narrative techniques, character development, and thematic concerns, and examines how Abulhawa expresses the lasting legacy of trauma, resilience, and the search for identity in the face of seemingly undefeatable harsh conditions. Moreover, Abulhawa benefits from the perception of exile to find out the psychological dimensions of war trauma since the characters displacement from their hometown produces a deep sense of displacement and alienation, which increases their trauma. From this perspective, the study aims to demonstrate how Abulhawa illuminates the complexities of war trauma of Palestinian families by highlighting the resilience, dignity, and enduring hope of those who live through it in her Mornings in Jenin.

 Susan Abulhawanın Ceninde Sabahlar adlı eseri, Filistinli ailelerin yaşadığı savaş travmasını anlatmaktadır. Roman, bireysel hikayelere odaklanarak tarihi olayları ele alır ve travmanın zaman içinde nesilden nesile nasıl aktarıldığını ve dönüştüğünü tasvir eder. Savaş travmasının etkileri, fiziksel ve ruhsal sağlık sorunları, bozulmuş aile dinamikleri ve dış etkenlere rağmen kültürel kimliği sürdürme çabası gibi çeşitli şekillerde kendini gösterir. Diğer bir deyişle, Abulhawanın eseri, çatışma, yerinden edilme ve kaybın Filistin toplumları üzerindeki kuşaklar arası etkilerini anlatır ve savaşın yaşamın her yönüne nasıl yayıldığını iç burkan bir şekilde gözler önüne serer. Bu çalışma, özellikle kadınlar ve çocuklar üzerinden karakterlerin yaşadığı travmanın psikolojik, duygusal ve kültürel sonuçlarını, devam eden siyasi şiddet bağlamında incelemektedir. Ayrıca, romanın anlatı tekniklerini, karakter gelişimini ve tematik kaygılarını analiz ederek, Abulhawanın travmanın kalıcı etkilerini, direnci ve kimlik arayışını, yenilmesi neredeyse imkânsız görünen zor koşullar karşısında nasıl ifade ettiğini tartışır. Bunun yanı sıra, Abulhawa, sürgün olma algısından yararlanarak savaş travmasının psikolojik boyutlarını keşfeder; çünkü karakterlerin memleketlerinden zorla uzaklaştırılması, onların derin bir yerinden edilmişlik ve yabancılaşma duygusu yaşamasına yol açar ve bu da travmalarını artırır. Bu perspektiften bakıldığında, çalışmanın amacı, Abulhawanın Ceninde Sabahlar eserinde savaş travmasının karmaşıklıklarını, bu travmayı yaşayanların gösterdiği direnç, onur ve bitmeyen umutla nasıl aydınlattığını göstermektir.

Article Details

The Representation of War Trauma on Palestinian Families in Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin

Authors:

Samet Guven

Publisher:

Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics:

Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal:

Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.135-149

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341351

pISSN:

2149-0767

Palestinian

trauma

displacement

war

violenceFilistinli

travma

yerinden etme

savaş

şiddet

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Samet Guven

Publisher: Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics: Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal: Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.135-149

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 2/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001341351

pISSN: 2149-0767

Issues

Authors:

Samet Guven

Publisher:

Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics:

Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal:

Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.135-149

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341351

pISSN:

2149-0767