Traumatic Repercussions:
Delving into the Psychological Complexities of the Girl in A
Girl Is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride
Jincy S. S.¹*, Sarath Lal T. S.²
ABSTRACT
Concerning the mental well-being of humans at
different times, the indispensable role of the kith and kin of the
individuals is quite noticeable. Eimear McBride, a doyenne in Irish
literature, presents the catastrophic impact of the unhealed trauma
through the portrayal of a Girl in A Girl is a Half-formed Thing.
The Girl in McBride’s novel is an epitome of the fatal clutches of
trauma and fragile mental stability. The most vulnerable and
heartbreaking fact is that this unnamed narrator is affected by
trauma not because of other people, but because of her own family
members. This source of trauma adds a deep layer of trouble not only
to her but also to her entire family. None of her family members
takes even a single initiative to address her trauma adequately.
This study focuses on dissecting the unhealed mental sickness of the
girl through the lens of masochism. The girl, in fact, echoes the
stories of many of the rape victims in this contemporary era. The
methodology employed for this study is qualitative and descriptive.
Along with dissecting the root causes for the suicide of the girl
from the selected novel, secondary academic journals and books on
the respective area have also been consulted for a better
understanding. This study stands as a poignant reminder of the
enduring effects of trauma and the timely interventions and
assistance for the healing process.
Keywords: Trauma Studies, Masochism, Eimear McBride, Therapeutic
Approaches.
