Trauma and Human Psyche: A Study on Revathi’s The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story

Ebisha Iyni S.¹, Jenifer S.²

¹24 PGE007, Department of English, Lady Doak Women’s College, Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.

²24 PGE014, Department of English, Lady Doak Women’s College, Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.

Abstract

In this paper, the concept of trauma and the human mind is discussed based on The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story by A. Revathi, translated by V. Geetha, through a theoretical framework of Trauma Theory by Cathy Caruth. The argument expressed in the paper is that trauma in the life of Revathi is acute, chronic, and complex. Acute trauma manifests itself in instances when one is mocked and humiliated unexpectedly in front of crowds. This is manifested as chronic trauma due to the recurrent instances of discrimination and constant fear. Constant rejection by the family and society leads to complex trauma. Complex trauma upsets the self-identity of Revathi, warping the memory and compelling silence and invisibility. This paper examines a significant gap in Indian transgender literature studies where the Trauma Theory is not applied. It looks at how Revathi transforms her personal misery into self-identification and empowerment. It adds to our knowledge of the trauma, identity, emotions, and strength within the Hijra life.

Keywords: Trauma theory, Hijra, Identity crisis, Fragmented memory, Testimony and healing.