Metaphors of pain: the use of metaphors in trauma narrative with reference to <i>Fugitive pieces</i>

Abstract

This article is a contribution to the recent interdisciplinary discourse between psychoanalysis, trauma theory and narrative by discussing the traumatic experiences of characters in the novel “Fugitive pieces” by Anne Michaels, with a specific focus on the metaphorical style of this novel. <br /><br /> The article addresses the role of metaphor in the memory of trauma while comparing the relation between trauma, narrative and memory with reference to the work of Cathy Caruth, Van der Kolk and Margaret Wilkinson. Recent neurobiological research in the working of the brain during trauma and the insights of Borbelly in the role of metaphor during therapy are discussed. <br /><br /> Insights of Lacan, Modell and Laplanche are integrated with those of psychologists like Knox, Borbelly and Van der Hart to counter arguments against the criticism brought against some of the metaphorical themes in “Fugitive pieces”. <br /><br /> Metaphor is seen as one possible way of saying the inexpressible and the progression in the use of metaphor by patient and character alike is seen as one of the signs of healing from trauma

From Traumatic to Narrative Memories: The Rhetorical Function of Birth Metaphors in Micah 4-5

“…Rather, the trauma survivor may now be able to reframe and reformulate the traumatic memory into narrative language in such a way that it loses its initial terrorizing effects. This is considered to be a crucial step in the process of healing and recovery (Anker 2009 Once flexibility is introduced, the traumatic memory starts losing its power over current experience. By imagining these alternative scenarios, many patients are able to soften the intrusive power of the original, unmitigated horror.…”

Embodying Collective Memory: Towards Responsible Engagement With the ‘Other’

“…3 'Other' refers to the opposite sides (URCSA (black) or DRC (white)) within the context of South Africa. 4 Disciplines such as psychology (See Van der Merwe & Gobodo-Madikizela, 2007)); sociology (see Ericson, 1994;Alexander et al, 2004); history (see LaCapra, 1991); literature (see Anker, 2009, Caruth, 1996, Van der Merwe & Gobodo-Madikizela, 2007; psychiatry (see Van der Kolk, 2002, Herman, 1992 and practical theology (see Louw, 2008 In this regard Anker (2009:3) refers to the importance of recent neurobiological research in the working of the brain during traumatic experiences. In similar vein Wilkinson (2005) indicates that traumatic experience affects both the encoding and recall of the memories associated with them.…”

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“…It is especially through the use of metaphors, related to the psychological content of the poem such as the trauma of the past, and to some extent functioning as a healing therapy for the relentless souls, at least in nattily channeling the repressed conflicts. Anker (2009) has stressed this point when he has said that language and metaphor are important not only in describing the traumatic experience but also in helping the therapeutic process of healing the psychological wounds by expressing the repressed trauma into literary text (through the creative process). So that the fractured traumatic experience and the broken or disorder mentality can be brought back into order language and metaphors are not only essential in the experience and description of trauma, but also in the process of healing.…”

“…As metaphor enables the transfer of meaning between dissimilar domains, transference repetition, the similarity of affective responses between the differing domains of the past and the present can be understood as a metaphoric process. Therefore, as Anker (2009) has stated in his emphasis on the role of metaphor as a healing medium through the creative process, the creative metaphoric expression may practically help to heal the troubled psyche through the transformation of metaphor, symbols, and patterns in words and visualizations.…”