TRANSFERENCE PHENOMENA AND SURVIVAL FUNCTION OF TRAUMA IN CHIGOZIE OBIOMA’S THE FISHERMEN (2015) 

Ahmed Dhakaa AL Mubarak¹*, Hardev Kaur², Rohimmi Bin Noor³

¹Mr., Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, ahmeddakaa@outlook.com

²Dr., Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

³Mr., Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

*Corresponding author

 

Abstract

By critically examining “transference phenomena” and the interconnectedness between traumatic event and memory in Chigozie Obioma’s Fishermen, I highlight a possibility of transference phenomena in forms of knowing that aims to maintain the linguistic of the traumatic memory and encourage the novelist to represent the memory in the literary text away from the standard repetitive forms which are the flashbacks and the nightmares. My analysis here examines literary narrative of the traumatic memory associated with trauma theory and employs the survival function of trauma as a crucial dimension, anticipating it as an alternative that makes us aware of a threat to the survival of our lives. The transference phenomena mark the potential of literature to widen human visions in making sense of the past while imagining what may transfer into in the present. These phenomena emerge in repetitive and belatedly returning form that rebuild “traumatized character-traumatic memory bond” which will provide a safe boundary to the survival. As a result, this survival function of trauma reveals literature’s ability to raise traumatic memory in narrative dilemmas through its engagement with the present.

Keywords: Transference phenomena, Trauma theory, Traumatic memory, Chigozie Obioma