| This thesis applies trauma theory, utilizing the concepts of the dialectic of trauma and the prenarrative trauma story as discussed in Judith Herman's Trauma and Recovery and current psychological research on posttraumatic stress disorder, to the life and work of J. D. Salinger. It will focus its scope on Salinger's two short stories, "For Esme---with Love and Squalor" and "A Perfect Day for Bananafish," as well as his novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Through this compilation of psychological research and literary analysis, this thesis aims to shed light on the ways in which Salinger's posttraumatic stress disorder affected not only the subjects he chose to write about, but also the way in which he wrote about them, ultimately arguing that Salinger's experiences during the Second World War are relevant in any reading of the author's works, even those that do not explicitly address themes of war. |
