THE TRANSGENERATIONAL TRAUMA OF SLAVERY IN GRISSOM’S CROW MARY: A PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDY

Abstract

This research examines the transgenerational trauma of slavery in Grissom’s Crow Mary, emphasizing how painful experiences are carried forward across generations. Through the protagonist Mary’s narrative, the novel reflects the intersecting trauma of slavery and the historical marginalization of Indigenous colonizers. Her journey under colonial rule exemplifies the enduring psychological impact of oppression. Drawing on trauma theories by Caruth and Herman, the analysis explores how colonial violence and slavery generate lasting effects such as anxiety, identity fragmentation, and cultural alienation among descendants of the Native community. The trauma experienced by Mary and her community parallels the displacement of Indigenous immigrants, illustrating how historical injustices reverberate through generations. It determines her resilience as a form of survival and resistance by highlighting the possibility of healing and the importance of acknowledging past traumas. It serves as a powerful lens to understand the lingering psychological scars inflicted by colonial and enslaving systems. By depicting the emotional and cultural consequences of historical oppression, this study underscores the inevitability of intergenerational healing. It demonstrates how literature can reveal the deep emotional legacies of slavery and colonialism, reinforcing the importance of addressing these traumas in both cerebral discourse and cultural memory.