Racial identity through a trauma based approach in Passing (1929) by Nella Larsen and the Vanishing Half (2020) by Brit Bennett

This thesis analyzes the theme racial discrimination in Nella Larsen's Passing (1929) and Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half (2020) through the lens of trauma theory. The aim of this study is to shed light on the significant effects of racial trauma on the psychological makeup of individuals and the dynamics of communities within these literary works by closely examining the lived experiences and psychological dynamics of characters negotiating racial identity and social expectations. Utilizing multidisciplinary frameworks from the disciplines of psychology and literary criticism, a qualitative textual analysis methodology to investigate the complex ways in which racial trauma is manifested throughout the experiences of the main characters is provided. The intricacies of racial classification, intergenerational trauma, identity formation, and racial passing are among the main subjects that are examined. The theoretical framework of racial trauma offers a critical perspective to study the characters' psychological struggles, interpersonal relationships, and societal boundaries. Thus, the ongoing consequences of systematic racism on individual consciousness by examining the ways that historical legacies of racial oppression resonate through the narratives are clarified. Additionally, in this study, how Larsen and Bennett illustrate the complex aspects of racial trauma using literary devices including narrative structure, characterization, and symbolism is analyzed. To this end, this study demonstrates the many yet related ways in which these writers address the legacy of racial injustice through close readings and comparative analysis. To sum up, fresh perspectives on the intricacies of racial identity construction to the larger discourse about race, trauma, and literature are added in this study. Through the application of a racial trauma theoretical framework to these literary texts, this study aims to shed light on the agency and resilience of individuals navigating these dangerous environments while also contributing to a deeper understanding of the deep and frequently unseen wounds caused by systemic racism.