Silenced Voices And Fractured Language: The Representation Of Nomi’s Childhood Trauma In Anuradha Roy’s Sleeping On Jupiter

Abstract

The relationship between trauma and language is complex and long-lasting as it can impact the individual’s language abilities and communicative interactions through disruptions in speech and difficulties in memory retrieval. These difficulties are indicative of the internal turmoil experienced by the individual. Trauma’s effect on memory and cognition may lead to fragmented memories and disorganised speech patterns, impeding the coherent articulation of thoughts and emotions as seen in Anuradha Roy’s novel Sleeping on Jupiter (2015). Using a trauma theory framework, the paper analyses the impact of the child sexual abuse on the characters’ language, as well as the ways in which their trauma is represented through fragmented memories, flashbacks, and silences. The paper also examines the cultural and societal factors that contribute to the perpetuation of trauma, particularly in the form of sexual abuse against women. Through close textual analysis of the novel, the paper demonstrates how the characters’ language reflects the complexity and depth of their trauma. This research paper argues that Sleeping on Jupiter offers a powerful and nuanced portrayal of the impact of child sexual abuse on survivors’ language and communication, as well as the ways in which survivors navigate the complexities of their trauma.