Wounded Words: Interpreting Trauma in the Narrative of Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16752517

Authors

  • Andrew Ginmuanlian Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
  • Dr Ritu Singh Sharda University, Greater Noida, India

Keywords:

Trauma, Systemic Racism, Institutional Violence, Narrative Techniques

Abstract

This paper highlights how Colson Whitehead portrays trauma in The Nickel Boys, revealing the psychological and emotional scars inflicted on individuals by systemic racism and institutional violence. The novel is set against the backdrop of Nickel Academy, a fictional reform school inspired by the real-life events of Dozier School for Boys. It reflects the brutal realities faced by black boys in mid-20th-century Florida, where racial discrimination sanctioned extreme abuse, neglect, and the stripping away of human dignity. Using Cathy Caruth’s trauma theory, which explains that trauma is often felt long after the event and is hard to understand or accept fully, this paper looks at how The Nickel Boys shows trauma as broken and delayed in its effects. Caruth says trauma is not fully experienced right away but comes back through flashbacks and confusion. Through a close reading of the novel, the paper explores the representation of trauma, racial discrimination and institutional violence, showing how these forces shape the characters’ lives and identities The study attempts to advance knowledge of how literature can represent and process racial injustice and historical trauma by closely examining the book The Nickel Boys. It also highlights the role of fiction as a powerful tool for raising awareness, fostering empathy, and promoting social healing.

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Published

05-08-2025

How to Cite

Andrew Ginmuanlian, & Dr Ritu Singh. (2025). Wounded Words: Interpreting Trauma in the Narrative of Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys. The Context, 12(5), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16752517

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