A STRUGGLE IN THE SHADOW OF TIME: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN BORIS POLEVOY’S HE CAME BACK BASED ON THE DSM-5 CLASSIFICATION

Trauma refers to psychological or physiological damage resulting from an event that is excessively stressful, harmful, or frightening, affecting an individual both physically and emotionally. Trauma manifests in a person’s physiological and psychological state and may emerge either immediately or long after the experience, significantly disrupting daily life. In psychology, this condition is classified as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) first introduced PTSD as a formal diagnosis in 1980 in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This study explores PTSD through the lens of literature, recognizing the interactive relationship between psychology and literary analysis. Specifically, it examines the PTSD symptoms experienced by the protagonist, Kazimov, in Boris Polevoy’s post-World War II novel He Came Back, using the criteria outlined in the fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-V). Kazimov is depicted as a character who profoundly embodies the psychological aftermath of war and its devastating societal impact on individuals. His traumatic experiences align closely with key PTSD symptoms as defined in DSM-5, including avoidance, emotional numbness, detachment, and insensitivity. Kazimov’s individual trauma symbolically reflects the broader psychological condition experienced by the Soviet people in the aftermath of the war. While Soviet ideology during the war often emphasized the image of the “heroic soldier,” Polevoy boldly addresses human vulnerability and psychological collapse in this work. Kazimov’s trauma underscores that the devastation of war is not solely physical, but also profoundly psychological. This study aims to analyse both the personal and collective dimensions of trauma by investigating Kazimov’s psychological struggles. Through a psychological examination of Polevoy’s protagonist, this research underscores the enduring effects of trauma on individual psychology while situating the discussion within a scientific framework.