Trauma, recovery and resilience in Rushdie's Knife

The novel Knife (2024) by Salman Rushdie explores the psychological and thematic dimensions of trauma and resilience. The problem addressed is the portrayal of trauma and the human response to adversity in contemporary literature. The purpose of this study is to analyze how Rushdie's narrative techniques and character portrayals depict themes of trauma recovery and resilience. Adopting a qualitative literary analysis approach, the methodology involves close textual reading and thematic coding to identify key elements related to trauma, recovery, and resilience within the novel's narrative structure. Data sourced primarily from the novel itself illuminate the fictional world created by Rushdie, focusing on characters' experiences within the contemporary global and political settings depicted in the novel. Themes such as personal identity, cultural heritage, and the impact of historical events intertwine with the characters' journeys of trauma recovery and resilience. The study reveals how these themes interplay and evolve throughout the narrative, showcasing the intricate dynamics between personal struggles and larger socio-political contexts. The implications of these findings underscore the novel's contribution to understanding human responses to trauma and the potential for resilience in the face of adversity, prompting readers to reflect on broader societal and historical implications. Ultimately, this study aims to deepen scholarly understanding of the representation of trauma and resilience in contemporary literature while advocating for empathy and awareness in addressing personal and collective healing processes.