Transgenerational Trauma and Rootlessness in Kamila Shamsie’s Broken Verses

M. Kalaiselvi

Research Scholar (Part-time), Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Courtallam. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.

Abstract

Transgenerational trauma refers to the transmission of effects from traumatic experiences that arise due to war or systemic oppression. In the contemporary era, British-Pakistani writer Kamila Shamsie’s novel Broken Verses explores themes like rootlessness, family dynamics, political history, memory, and truth. The novel is set against the backdrop of modern-day Karachi, Pakistan, specifically during a period marked by post-9/11 political tension, and the rise of the media. The protagonist Aasmaani Inqalab struggles a lot and leads her life independently after her mother’s unexpected disappearance which creates trauma in her life. The narrative probes the complexities of memory experienced by Aasmaani Inqalab and how the personal life of the characters differs from the events of history. The paper aims to bring out the psychological trauma experienced by Aasmaani Inqalab and the mystery surrounding her fate, and resistance against state censorship. 

Keywords: Rootlessness, Transgenerational trauma, Memory, Resistance, Political tension.