Trust and the Process of Healing: Tracing the Pattern of Overcoming Rape Trauma in the Novel Endurer-A Rape Story by Kapil Raj

Abstract

This paper studies the portrayal of a rape survivor and her ways of overcoming rape trauma in Kapil Raj's novel ‘Endurer-A Rape Story’. It traces the protagonist’s pattern of overcoming rape trauma by looking through the glass of Judith Herman’s Trauma and Recovery. It is found that the bystanders need to believe the rape survivors in order to help them to overcome the trauma and to lead a normal life. The research proves that even though the survivors are not able to change their past, they have the power to change their future. In the process of overcoming the trauma, the survivors need support from their beloved ones and the society. The researcher has applied concepts from Judith Herman's acclaimed book 'Trauma and Recovery' to support the argument. It is revealed in this novel Endurer-A Rape Story that the heroine, Palak, chooses to overcome her trauma and move on with her life after being trusted. An attempt is made to demonstrate that the trust of loved ones and society can significantly impact the process of overcoming the trauma experienced by the rape survivors.