Psychological Scars of Exile in Diaspora: Investigating PTSD in the Protagonist Hassan in Abdulrazaq Gurnah novel “Memories of Departure”

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the psychological scars of exile on the protagonist: Hassan, in Abdulrazaq Gurnah’s masterpiece novel “Memories of Departure”. The divergent manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the migrant experience is central to the investigation of this research endeavor. In the novel, the trauma of Hassan results from his forced displacement from Zanzibar. The perplexed and multifaceted trauma of the protagonist is analyzed through his dissociation, emotional numbness, and the reccuring painful memories, which are emblematical of PTSD. The fragmented narrative structure and unreliable narration are the key literary techniques employed in the novel. They mirror the psychological fragmentation and the struggle of the protagonist to reconcile his traumatic past with his fragmented present existence in exile. The novel reflects the psychological effects of exile, where memory and identity become sources of constant conflict. This study positions Hassan’s trauma within the broader context of diaspora literature. It highlights how Gurnah’s portrayal of PTSD contributes to the understanding of the effects of exile and displacement on the individual psyche. This research emphasizes the challenges of the exiles in navigating their memories, identities, and sense of belonging in a foreign land. It is argued that Gurnah’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring psychological impact of exile. Exile, in this context, extends beyond the immediate experience of migration and shape one’s identity and mental health.