TRAUMA AS A CATALYST FOR SELF-DISCOVERY IN JIMÉNEZ’S WHAT HAPPENED TO RUTHY RAMIREZ

Abstract

Trauma is a central thematic element in Claire Jiménez's What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez, and this study delves into its psychological underpinnings through the lens of Freudian psychoanalysis. Applying qualitative research methods, the study uncovers the deep and lasting impact of both childhood and adult trauma on the protagonist’s psyche. Ruthy’s trauma, stemming from early childhood experiences, is explored through the lens of Freud’s theories of the unconscious, defense mechanisms, and the ways in which trauma manifests in adulthood. Through a detailed analysis of key narrative moments, the study reveals how Ruthy’s emotional responses, sense of self-worth, and interactions with others are directly shaped by repressed traumatic memories. These traumas, including experiences of family violence, loss, and neglect, are explored in the context of both individual and collective psychological scars. The research underscores the ripple effect of trauma across Ruthy’s relationships with family members, highlighting how trauma is not only an individual experience but also a shared familial legacy that influences multiple generations. Freud’s framework illuminates the mechanisms of coping and defense that Ruthy employs to protect herself from confronting her trauma, and how these mechanisms paradoxically maintain the emotional pain they seek to avoid. The findings suggest that trauma, in its various forms, shapes the protagonist’s emotional landscape and underscores the narrative’s exploration of the long-term psychological consequences of unresolved pain. The study emphasizes the importance of acknowledging trauma in literary studies, as well as its relevance in real-world psychological healing and recovery processes.